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Jasmine Johnson

Professor Holly Batty

English 101

30 May 2019

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Rules The World

What does it take to show mothers how important their education is in molding the future

of nations? In our patriarchal society, the idea of mothers pursuing academic studies while caring

for a child is generally frowned upon, because it is perceived as a violation of the traditional

motherhood role. While college can be hard on everyone, moms face a particular challenge.

Merging motherhood and studying without compromising the activities of either one is a great

dilemma for student mothers which inflicts unpleasant emotional pressure and guilt and

interferes with academic performance and the overall journey of motherhood. Being aware of

those challenges is the first step towards dealing with them. Student mothers can stay optimistic

knowing that they can still bond with their children by spending quality time with them.

The challenges student mothers face can threaten education and create barriers to

employment. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, young women who

give birth while attending a community college are 65 percent less likely to complete their

degree than women who do not have children during that time. However it is important to

recognize the growing importance of student parents to continue and finish their studies. Since

college graduates earn wages 56% higher than those of high school graduates, according to

recent data from the Economic Policy Institute, a college education is, therefore, an
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indispensable asset to get out of poverty, especially as the demand for a more educated

workforce accelerates.

A mother’s education makes a difference in a child’s success in school due to her

understanding of school structures, attainment of language skills along with problem-solving

skills and cognitive flexibility. The French statesman and military leader, Napoléon Bonaparte,

seems to acknowledge the role of mothers and the huge impact they have on shaping the

ideology of the future generations of nations when he states, “Give me an educated mother, I

shall promise you the birth of a civilized, educated nation.” An educated mother is capable of

leading her family and therefore her education is beneficial not only to her but to her family as

well as the whole nation.

Society can be harsh and continues to expect women to have a predisposition towards

raising and nurturing children over anything else especially under the influence of the findings of

continuous studies that link the presence of a parent at home to children’s academic

performance. While this claim may present itself as a valid argument, the National Education

Association's research has proven that parent involvement in schools makes a difference in a

child's academic performance regardless of whether or not the mother is a stay-home. In fact,

even stay-at-home moms are spending too much time with their kids with no scientifically

proven difference in the outcomes of their children’s academic performance. A Highland Spring

study of 10,000 families revealed parents are only spending 34 uninterrupted minutes a day with

their children because of the stresses of daily life. It is the quality of time spent with the kids that

really matters; it is not the quantity.

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According to my sister, Haneen, who had her daughter, Luna, when she was still in

college, out of the numerous challenges college mothers face in pursuing their academic

endeavours while caring for a child at the same time, feeling of guilt seems to take the heaviest

toll. Feeling guilty for leaving a child at the daycare or even with a family member and agonizing

when missing a child’s big game or stage performance is when a parent starts feeling

overwhelmed and their efforts are usually thwarted by this feeling of guilt. My sister managed to

attend all her classes before Luna showed up, her performance was remarkably outstanding.

After she had her baby, she started skipping classes and missing assignments. When she noticed

regression in her academic performance, she quickly connected the dots and realized that she

isn’t really helping her daughter by mismanaging her time and by giving in to her emotions. She

wanted to set a good example for her daughter so she took the necessary action to continue her

education and provide a better future for her daughter.

Children need high-quality time with parents and caregivers, that is what is most

beneficial to children and what can produce a positive effect in shaping their personality. It isn’t

about endless hours of time, it’s about how a parent chooses to spend that time that truly matters.

Amy Hsin, a sociologist at Queens College, found that “detrimental” effects on children under

the age of 6 are directly caused by parents spending the majority of their time with those kids

watching TV or doing nothing. For social and cognitive development, children also require

unstructured time to themselves without the engagement of parents, according to the American

Academy of Pediatrics. Therefore, student mothers can rest assured knowing that by attending

college, they are granting their children some unstructured time to develop socially and

cognitively.
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How can student mothers maximize the quality of time they spend with their children?

Active participation is key. Mornings, evenings and weekends should be carefully planned and

managed to get the most out of the time a mother spends with her child. Morning routines can

include involving the child in morning activities. The child can help in making breakfast and

packing the lunchbox. If the mother starts her day doing some stretches or yoga, she can

integrate these activities as part of the mother-child morning routine. Bedtime routines are very

helpful and provide plenty of space for mother-child conversations to take place. Children can

share their day and ask questions that they may have. Mothers stay posted on their children’s

daily activities and social interactions. Then the two can read a bedtime story which is some of

the best times a mom can ever have with her child, and one of the most cherished memories.

Engaging in fun activities of the child’s choosing over weekends without the distraction of

gadgets can make up for lost time during the week. Activities should include spending time in

nature such as hiking, camping, going on a picnic or going to the beach. Moms should give

children the chance to choose the destination of the next family vacation or camping trip.

Applying the aforementioned practices, my sister was able to earn her master's degree

and is now a professor at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Her daughter, who is at

the top of her class, is so proud of her mom and sometimes comes to visit her at the University

and meet her students. Despite the many societal and emotional challenges student mothers face,

they should make their journey enjoyable by spending quality time with their children and

continue to believe in their ability to make a better future for them and for their children and that,

in turn, will contribute to the common good.

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This a photo of my sister, Haneen,

and my beautiful niece,
Luna.
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Works Cited

Visick, A. (2009). Mothering by the book (Unpublished PhD thesis) . University of

Bedfordshire,

England.

uobrep.openrepository.com/uobrep/bitstream/10547/134972/1/visick.pdf

National Conference of State Legislatures “POSTCARD: TEEN PREGNANCY AFFECTS

GRADUATION RATES,” The Numbers Don’t Add Up to Success, 17 Jun. ​2013

ncsl.org/research/health/teen-pregnancy-affects-graduation-rates-postcard.aspx

Najjar, Haneen. Personal interview. 1 Mar. 2019.