During the intake process at my agency, one question we are required to ask incoming clients is "Yearly Income" (for statistical purposes, and to see trends that I'm about to explore with you). Keeping in mind our strict confidentiality policies, I wanted to provide those of you who choose to read this blog with some real-life context. I pulled 15 random files from our office--current and past clients. On the intake form, this income question has a check box in front of four levels. Yet, all 15 files fall into one category:
$0--25,000/year--(15).
What I find interesting is the very next question we ask incoming clients; "Highest education Level." The breakdown is as follows:
Less than high school diploma (5); high school equivalent (diploma or GED) (7), some college--(3); college degree-- (0).
How many of these pulled files list families (single women with children?)
13 out of 15.
What are we looking at here?
In a study in Higher Education (2004) titled, "Becoming a Mature Student: How Adult Applicants Weigh the Advantages and Disadvantages of Higher Education" (UNC Library database--EBSCOhost), one category for participants was listed as "Single Parents." These individuals were defined as, "Single parents (predominantly women) who have families to support not only financially, but also socially and emotionally (role model). They are increasingly exhorted by government to seek qualification as a way out of social exclusion yet find themselves in a dilemma in that studying to ensure a better family future may well impact on children today" (p. 297). For the participants studied, the positive elements influencing their choices to enter higher education included needing a good job to support the family, wanting to be a role model, and enjoying learning. However the negative factors far-outweighed the positive. These included lack of self-belief, financial "catch-22," timetable difficulties, childcare problems, and juggling responsibilities of family, work, and study. The general message from the female single parents interviewed--the need for financial stability.
In another recent study from the Harvard Educational Review (2009), an article titled, "Poverty and the (Broken) Promise of Higher Education" (UNC Library database--ProQuest), the author explains the desire and motivation by single low-income mothers that is continuously short-handed by the increasingly limited opportunities and support available to this "at-risk" population. The author interviews members of this group who have attempted to obtain an undergraduate degree. Those who were unable to complete two consecutive semesters in their programs, listed their top reasons for their "failure:" Inability to juggle the demands of family, work, and school (73%), inadequate child-care or insufficient child-care funds (69%), lack of academic support (65%), and inability to afford tuition or financial aid insufficient (33%). There were more reasons listed, and as you can see, these numbers don't add up to 100%--there weren't cases where only one obstacle existed for these single mothers.
There are many other contributing factors that can play into this argument. Yet in my daily work, I see the same societal pressures placed on these individuals that are consistently unsupported and sometimes...impossible.
"Just go get a job." ---> Minimum wage jobs (for positions not requiring a college degree) in Colorado pay $7.36/hour
"Just go back to school." Average tuition for a public four-year institution in the U.S. is approximately $12,796/year.
"Just find a babysitter." The national average cost for full-time day care in the U.S. is approximately is $611/month...and this figure is for one child.
This list could go on.
I am not without awareness that many of these families qualify for government assistance. However, the limits and additional double-binds associated with current welfare reform are outside the scope of this post. I believe that more attention and support should be passed to these families regarding the access of higher education. Changing the messages from "You should ____" to "You can _____, and here is how we can make it possible," would be a great start.
Kylie Rogalla
Kylie- I cannot tell you how timely your post is for me right now, as I have recently come in contact with a family from the background you described, and have been thinking about the "catch-22" you describe, daily. I have to remind myself that while higher education could be the solution to so many problems these women face, there are so many other obstacles that they need to overcome. Just looking at basic hierarchy of needs, are they in a position where they are clothed and sheltered? DO they feel that their children and they are safe? Do they have basic "luxuries", like a vehicle, to get their children to daycare and themselves to work? All of those basics must be met to even think about a obtaining a college degree as a reality.
ReplyDeleteBut, the cycle must be broken. The children of these women are also "at-risk"- drugs, alcohol, early parenthood, lack of education, unhealthy and abusive relationships. I wish that we, as a society, would realize that by helping out a mother in need, we are actually helping generations beyond that. It is situations like this that really concern me as we talk about the rising cost of a college education. In the examples you provided above, the cost of one year of college could be more than the annual income. Of course, this could never be a priority when there are little children depending on food, shelter, clothes.....
The rising cost of college is terrible, but for this population is down-right unethical!
I'm glad you appreciated the post, Michele.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you mentioned the hierarchy of needs. A colleague and myself are currently writing a manuscript about applying Maslow's hierarchy of needs to a psychoeducational group for displaced single mothers surviving domestic violence. The group addresses each level of the pyramid, starting with physiological needs and works upward. If you're ever on UNC Greeley's campus, the poster of this project is hanging on the wall on 2nd floor McKee. I hope the family you are speaking of finds the support they need!
Kylie - great points! Michele - I'm glad you commented because I thought of you and your recent experience through this entire blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is also a timely post for me. For another class, I am currently writing a paper about a student culture I haven't been a part of in the past. The project has taken a couple of detours from my original intention but all that aside, I was lucky enough to attend a meeting for the Stryker Institute for Leadership Development.
For those unfamiliar with Stryker, it is a leadership and scholarship program for non-traditional women who demonstrate financial need. The institute qualifies non-traditional as with children, married and/or over 23 years of age. So these women have various backgrounds - some with kids, some without, some married, some single, some divorced but they all have amazing stories.
At the meeting I was fortunate enough to hear some of these women's stories and a couple of them literally brought me to tears. Again, while they're not all like this, there are ladies that have faced exactly what you are describing - domestic violence, divorce, physical and emotional abuse, poor home lives, the list goes on and on.
My point is, what an amazing opportunity this scholarship provides for these ladies. How awesome would it be if there were opportunities like this for a larger population? I'm not so naive to think that one program is enough for the population you are referring to which I think is why both your and Michele's points are important - there have to be more opportunities for people in this position.