Teachers' and learners' attitudes to each other: the student mother

INTRODUCTION. This research examines the experiences of student mothers in higher education who try to balance their many responsibilities as mothers, family members, classmates, and university students. The problem of balancing student and family roles is approached from a gender-based perspective. METHOD. The study uses a qualitative, narrative-based and feminist methodology based on semi-structured interviews to analyze the beliefs and attitudes of a total of thirteen university students. RESULTS. Through narrative thinking we use student mothers’ stories to interpret pedagogical relationships and actions between peers and between teachers and student mothers. DISCUSSION. To ensure good social relations between student mothers and other participants in higher education, we propose that there is a need for specific legislation and for awareness-raising activities address to both the academic community and the general public.