Understanding and combating the digital divide for single mother college students: A case study

Abstract

Purpose

This case study examines the ways in which single mother college students experience the digital divide. It begins by identifying the primary challenges they face as they pursue a postsecondary degree in post‐welfare reform America. It also demonstrates how one program, computer access promoting retention and achievement (CAPRA), has helped bridge the digital divide for this particular student population.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were drawn from a 2‐year ethnographic study that sought to examine the experiences of single mother college students in post‐welfare reform America. Research methods included in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews as well as participant observation.

Findings

Single mother college students identified four primary challenges they encounter as they pursue a college degree: time constraints, child care, economics, and institutional climate. These challenges intersect with one another in ways that hinder single mother students’ access to the computing technologies that are central to their academic success. The CAPRA program has attempted to bridge the digital divide for this particular student population by developing a program that makes computers for long‐term loan. The development of the CAPRA program is discussed as well as its strengths and limitations.

Originality/value

This case study attends to the experiences of an understudied population: single mother college students. It demonstrates the importance of attending to the social context when examining the digital divide. Only in doing so can we hope to bridge that divide in ways which are meaningful and appropriate to diverse populations.

Citation

Duquaine‐Watson, J.M. (2006), "Understanding and combating the digital divide for single mother college students: A case study", Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 25 No. 7, pp. 562-576. https://doi.org/10.1108/02610150610714394