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Shaming of Lone Mothers Pursuing Doctoral Education: A Feminist Autoethnography of Entering Academia

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Title: Shaming of Lone Mothers Pursuing Doctoral Education: A Feminist Autoethnography of Entering Academia
Language: English
Authors: Päivi Kosonen (ORCID 0000-0001-8474-2666)
Source: Gender and Education. 2026 38(2):233-248.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Social Discrimination, Social Bias, One Parent Family, Mothers, Doctoral Students, Barriers, Self Esteem, Emotional Response, Sex Fairness, Gender Bias
Geographic Terms: Finland
DOI: 10.1080/09540253.2025.2607970
ISSN: 0954-0253
1360-0516
Abstract: This study examines the shaming and social discrimination faced by lone mothers pursuing doctoral education in Finland. The research is based on feminist autoethnography and my personal experience as a lone mother who has completed a doctoral degree. Lone mothers face significant socio-economic challenges that affect their educational opportunities. The study reveals that lone mothers often experience both admiration and criticism from their communities, which can lead to feelings of shame and decreased self-esteem. The findings show that external and internal discourses related to lone mothers' doctoral education can cause emotional paralysis and slow down their academic progress. This study aims to disrupt institutional and societal conversations about educational gender equality and to contribute to a shift in the value climate that liberates lone mothers from social shame.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503406
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Shaming of Lone Mothers Pursuing Doctoral Education: A Feminist Autoethnography of Entering Academia
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Päivi+Kosonen%22">Päivi Kosonen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8474-2666">0000-0001-8474-2666</externalLink>)
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Discrimination%22">Social Discrimination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Bias%22">Social Bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22One+Parent+Family%22">One Parent Family</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mothers%22">Mothers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Doctoral+Students%22">Doctoral Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Esteem%22">Self Esteem</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotional+Response%22">Emotional Response</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+Fairness%22">Sex Fairness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Bias%22">Gender Bias</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Finland%22">Finland</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/09540253.2025.2607970
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– Name: Abstract
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  Data: This study examines the shaming and social discrimination faced by lone mothers pursuing doctoral education in Finland. The research is based on feminist autoethnography and my personal experience as a lone mother who has completed a doctoral degree. Lone mothers face significant socio-economic challenges that affect their educational opportunities. The study reveals that lone mothers often experience both admiration and criticism from their communities, which can lead to feelings of shame and decreased self-esteem. The findings show that external and internal discourses related to lone mothers' doctoral education can cause emotional paralysis and slow down their academic progress. This study aims to disrupt institutional and societal conversations about educational gender equality and to contribute to a shift in the value climate that liberates lone mothers from social shame.
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      – Text: English
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        StartPage: 233
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Discrimination
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Bias
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: One Parent Family
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mothers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Doctoral Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Esteem
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotional Response
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      – SubjectFull: Sex Fairness
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      – SubjectFull: Gender Bias
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      – SubjectFull: Finland
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