Trajectory of Ph.D Work of Working Women Having Young Children

Abstract

Education is essential for all as it helps an individual to acquire information and knowledge. It fosters skills and develops character traits. Education plays a vital role in women’s life. Women education can bring about a radical change in society. Today, we understand that education is also a key to women empowerment. In spite of the known importance of education in a woman’s life, the ratio of men to women in higher education is not equal. This study is an attempt to understand the socio-psycho-cultural phenomenon in the trajectory of obtaining a Ph.D degree by the working women having young children. This study tries to fathom the difficulties, in particular, encountered in obtaining the Ph.D degree by women. The method of Free Verbal Protocols, as a part of Collaborative Autoethnography was utilized to collect data from the participants. The participants were selected through purposive sampling. Five themes emerged after the thematic analysis of the data and the subsequent discussions with the participants. These themes were Reasons for Joining Ph.D, Role of Ph.D Supervisor, Difficulties Faced While Working for Ph.D, Support Systems, and Future Suggestions.