CHALLENGES FACED BY SINGLE MOTHER’S PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION IN SINDH PAKISTAN: AN ANALYSIS

In any society Single mothers are facing a lot of issues and specially those who are pursing higher education. This paper discusses the challenges faced by single mothers pursuing higher education. The main research question of the study was What are the challenges faced by single parent mother students in Sindh? More specifically the research aims to investigate what specific challenges do single mother encounter in pursuing higher education and how does the presence of a support network effect the educational experiences of single mother students in higher education? The study was qualitative in nature and used phenomenological research method as methodology of the study. The population of the study includes all single mothers residing in Sindh and pursuing higher education. Using, using convenience sampling, 5 single mothers were selected. Interview was used as a data collection instrument and Interpretive Analysis was used as a data analysis technique. Findings of the study showed that single mothers struggle with increased risks to their and their children’s wellbeing. they experience difficulties maintaining enrollment and graduating in higher education. Single mother scholars focused on their parenting deficits versus their educational deficits, endorsing challenges with parenting due to their participation in higher education. They further expressed significant social support and challenges with multiple roles, finances, peer/staff interactions, and childcare. Educational institutions, child welfare agencies, and human service agencies can do a better job of addressing the needs of children and single mothers through advocating for the equal accessibility of higher education to all individuals, especially single mothers by taking an anti-sexist stance. It was concluded that single mothers faces a lot of issues and challenges in pursuing higher education. It was recommended that higher education institutions may device policies to cater the needs of Single mothers