Description
Student-parent support groups have been established at some universities to provide peer support, social networking, and a mechanism to advocate with the administration for student-parent needs. At Egerton University in Kenya, for example, the Professional Role Integrated Student Mothers group meets weekly to raise money for student-mothers to secure basic needs and pay for medical fees. In the US, the Harvard Business School Partners & Moms group works with the Harvard administration to “[focus] attention on the unique questions and challenges faced by [student parents and students planning to start a family] and ensures that resources and the necessary support are channeled towards addressing these challenges.” The Harvard Students’ Spouses and Partners Association (HSSPA) and Parents Attending Law School (PALS) at the University of Washington coordinate social activities for students who are parents or are considering having children. PALS also holds networking and career events and engages in information sharing and advocacy activities. PALS is active at other US universities, including Duke University School of Law, Widener School of Law, Charlotte Law School, Stanford Law School, and others.
Examples
Harvard Business School Partners & Moms group
University of Washington’s Parents Attending Law School group
Additional information: PDF