Task 1

Theme: Motivation

This theme focuses on what factors ensured the participants were able to manage their

dual roles despite the challenges that they are experiencing. Participants generally

considered their baby as their primary motivation and inspiration in life, they also

considered their baby as their source of strength and happiness, and the main reason

why they continue their study to give a better future for them.

Participants also reported the importance of a medical education in their current

situation. They viewed medical education as a holistic vocation and in becoming a

doctor, you can find fulfilment in living your dream while also providing a better future for

your child as well as take care of your parents. It was shown that medical education is

one of the factors why participants pursue their studies despite of their situation.

Despite of their situation, participants still managed to be optimistic, they just see the

positive outcomes of their sacrifice instead of looking the negative things in life. More

also, despite that they experience many challenges in life they never give up and

instead of to feel ashamed of their situation, they are proud of it, and used it as an

inspiration to excel in their studies because they want to prove to people that although

they became a parent at a young age, whether planned or not, they still can become

successful in the future.

Despite the struggle of being a mother and medical student at the same time, they still

persist to pursue their studies. They are motivated to pursue their education for a

brighter future of the child, family, while being driven by the will to fulfil their dreams and

aspirations collectively.
Though they may experience difficulty being a medical student mother, they also shared

their motivations and inspirations that keeps them going. They hope that by finishing

their studies they can give their child a brighter future and at the same time achieve

their personal dreams. According to Lei (2010), motivation varies from different degrees

of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation. Intrinsic motivational factors found to be at work

with most students include the desire to be involved, curiosity, challenge, and social

interaction. In this study, it refers to sense of fulfillment in the achievement of their

dreams. Extrinsic motivational factors include compliance (to meet another’s

expectation, to do what one is told); recognition (to be publicly acknowledged);

competition; and work avoidance (avoid more work than necessary).

The present study reveals that medical student mothers’ external motivation is to give

her child a brighter future because it is her responsibility as the mother and so

accordingly, the following subthemes were generated from the and discussed below:

Subtheme: Child’s future

As a parent, it is only responsible that they try to secure a better future for their

offspring. This is demonstrated passionately by the participants as they ensure that the

challenges of playing their dual roles do not waver their dreams of becoming doctors

and providing better circumstances for their child.

This is seen in the statement by participant 1(110-116): “I want to take care of my baby

because it’s really fun and then at the same time, I need to study for her also” and

participant 5 (261-274) in her statement “you have the support of your family. You have

their support…that gives you strength..your child as well. The future that you want your
child to have and yourself of course”. This is further supported by participant 3 (185-

193) who said “My daughter. I have to give her something. If I stop at being a med-

tech, since the salary is very low and I wanted to give her something, l have to think

something bigger so really want to become a doctor”. Participant 8 (58-65) also said

“Been a mum is one of the reasons why I am here” and finally a statement by participant

7 (166-171) which says “I really want to give my daughter a good life… being a doctor is

more rewarding”.

The aforementioned responses by the participants is similarly reported by Cabaguing

(2017) “They believe that the only way to give a better future to their children is to finish

their studies. In this way, there is an assurance that they can get a good paying job to

support and sustain the needs of the child. They wanted to have their child a better

education and a comfortable life.” Also, Manalang et al (2018) reported “they consider

their baby as their motivation and inspiration to surpass all the challenges.”

Conclusively, these gives us an insight that indeed medical student mothers get

motivated and perhaps inspired by the need to provide a better future for their child.

Subtheme: Family and Friends

For every individual going through a hard time, a network of support is usually the

easiest way out. This is also seen in the lives of medical student mothers. Family, be it

immediate or extended, by birth or by marriage, play a crucial role in alleviating the

burden of the medical student mothers. Also, friends, especially classmates at school

help out in various ways. The role played by family and friends plays a huge role in the

success or failure in the aspirations of a medical student mother. We can see this from

the statements made by participant 1 (160-176) which says “My baby and Mian. And my
family”, participant 6 (126-186) “first is my family..umm second..i have some people who

are really behind my medical education and one of them is a medical doctor; ..it was

really a big help for me that my mother and my dad are taking care of my kid since the

beginning of my medical education so they are really the first, they are really the top list

of my inspiration”. This is further backed by statements by participant 5 (27-38) “when in

Baguio my child is being taken care of …my mother or my sister. In Tagudin my child is

being taken of….my aunt or my…and his husband so” and conclusively participant 4

(199-201) simply said “My husband, kids, family and friends”.

Similarly, Cabaguing (2017) reported “Student mothers stated that their current situation

was hard. But because of their support system which includes their family, friends,

classmates, some have partners, they can still manage their dual roles being a student

and a mother. They are financially and morally supported”, however, this was

categorized as a subtheme “support of other people” and categorized under the

subtheme “coping”.

All of these sums up the importance of family and friends in motivating medical student

mothers as they play their dual roles.

Subtheme: Dreams and Aspirations

Without a dream or aspiration by the participants the drive will almost certainly be lost

along the way. Medical student mothers face daring and frustrating situations that make

them consider giving up school, but still persist and fight on because of their dream and

aspirations of becoming a doctor which provides a sense of fulfilment and also to turn

the fortunes of the child and family around.

This notion is supported by participant 8 (100-104) in her statement “She is working

towards actualizing her dream”. With all the participants being medical students, one

thing is certain and that is the big dream of becoming a doctor come rain or sunshine,

which is further complimented by the dream of a better future for the child and family.

These dreams play a role in giving the participants a sense of purpose and a reason not

to give up despite the continual untold difficulties and challenges they forced to deal

with.

TASK 2

Conclusion

The findings of this research showed that participants almost have the same

experiences. Getting the participants to take part in the study didn’t come with much

difficulty as all participants and researchers are colleagues of the same medical college

and appreciated being listened to as they narrate their struggles.

Results suggest that student mothers in the college of medicine may majorly be

encouraged with due support from family and friends as well as a partner. Another

approach that eases their plight can come from policies made by the heads of medical

college as suggested by the participants.

However, the medical student mother will personally also have to develop coping

strategies to balance and efficiently deal with her dual roles otherwise the seemingly

multitude of overwhelming challenges will cripple her dream of becoming a doctor while

leaving her with guilt and regret for lost out time not spent with her child.
Thankfully, most medical student mothers are also able to enjoy the little

benefits/rewards derived from their situation by applying it in their academics, in addition

to an unrelenting drive and focus towards achieving their goal at all cost for a better

future.

References

Cabaguing (2017) Motherhood and ‘Studenthood’: The Lived Experiences of College

Student Mothers in Samar State University, International Review of Social Sciences;
Vol. 5 Issue.3 ISSN 2309-0081
Manalang C. D. et al., (2018) The Lived Experiences of College Student Mothers in
Managing their Dual Roles: An Exploratory Study