Student Moms: Need More Support from Colleges.

For Ikeya Medler being a pregnant college student at The Richard Stockton College of NJ is very stressful at times. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Stockton College doesn’t allow kids to reside on the campus with the mothers. Stockton has no alternatives for people who are attending the college that do have kids or for those who may be expecting. These housing setups forces the student moms to leave and find living off campus or possibly another institution that allows children on campus. Ikeya’s life has changed since she has been pregnant. In my opinion I feel that all college campuses such as Stockton College should have family housing to accommodate student moms. For an example such as the Rutgers University, Newark Campus which accommodates student families which makes it easier for the moms to continue with their degree requirements.

 

Ikeya says “being in college and being pregnant really isn’t bad, except for the stares and the whispering. I’m more focused on getting good grades and graduating college because dropping out is not an option.” But let’s say things don’t go as she plans. She is only nineteen yrs old and her mother kicked her out when she found out Ikeya was expecting.  She was then forced to live with her best friend for the summer until school started this fall semester. Where will she live with her baby, how will she maintain being a first time parent and being a full time student. This decision making process is hard on student moms when attending an institution that lacks support for their conditions. Maybe if more colleges such as Stockton would have better meals and living arrangements for student moms it would make it easier for them to accomplish their goals of getting degrees.  While at the same time trying to be the best moms they can be. If colleges take into consideration for their student moms that there should be more family housing and healthy campus food maybe more of them will continue on to get their desired degrees. Instead of taking time off to devote time for their children off campus at home.