This book examines how sole parents are constituted within university contexts, through social discourse and social policies. The gendered assumptions of female parental care-work are analysed as both constraining and enabling sole parent participation in higher education. Social welfare policies and the policies of university institutions are also considered as central to the experiences of sole parents who study at universities. This book explores the sense of belonging and engagement for sole parents in higher education with a view to challenging how universities engage with under-represented and diverse students. Equitable access to higher education is important as a potentially transformative personal and social good and this book contributes new thinking to understanding why a university education remains elusive for many students.
Explores the position of sole parents within the context of higher education as presented in discourse and policies Discusses equity and the transformative potential of higher education Refers to personal stories and case studies to emphasise the range of experiences
Genine A. Hook
Academia Equity Judith Butler Social Policy Parental Care-work
“This book provides an urgently needed theorization of widening participation through a focus on the experiences of sole parents within Australian higher education. Dr Hook puts concepts of recognition and accountability to work to examine questions of temporality, gendered parental constructions and academic performativity. Through this intricate analysis, she points to the need for more nuanced, reflexive policies and strategies for widening equitable participation. I strongly endorse this important book.” (Professor Penny Jane Burke, Global Innovation Chair of Equity and Director of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education at the University of Newcastle, Australia)