10579: But That’s Normal: Rethinking Parenthood and the Normalization of Struggles in Management Academia

The increasing normalization of parenthood in academia has created a complex landscape of opportunities and challenges for parent-scholars. This Professional Development Workshop (PDW) aims to move beyond the existing focus on individual coping strategies towards developing a more collective understanding of institutional solutions for supporting academic parents, particularly mothers and other mothering persons (Held, 1993). We emphasize motherhood to acknowledge the unequal struggles women face at work and home, including motherhood penalties and disproportionate caregiving responsibilities. However, we use the term mothering persons to invite parents of all genders and to encourage discussion of how mothering responsibilities can be reshaped. Through a dual-approach format, this workshop offers a space for mothering persons and their allies to broaden their sights and develop and grow a feeling of community and support. The first part of the workshop features a panel of leading women scholars focusing on the following key themes: (1) examining the consequences of normalizing parental struggles in academia; (2) moving from individualized experiences to collective action; (3) identifying strategic tools and career paths for academic parents; and (4) cultivating joy and meaning in combining academic and parental roles. The second part invites participants to small-group conversations geared towards developing recommendations for academic leaders to support parents in academia. This PDW will benefit current and prospective parent-scholars, department chairs, deans, and allies interested in creating more supportive environments within University settings. Participants will leave with practical strategies, a broader support network, and concrete recommendations for institutional change.