Mature-aged Social Work Students: Challenges, Study Realities, and Experiences of Poverty

ABSTRACT

There has been a substantial increase in mature-aged students enrolled in higher education in recent decades. Equally, mature-aged women, often with family responsibilities, are well represented in social work degree programs. In this article, the findings from the National Study of Social Work Students (NSSWS) are examined in relation to mature-age students to better understand their study experiences, and factors that may be impeding their ability to take advantage of a university education. What is clear from the data is that many mature-age social work students were experiencing poverty at higher rates than their younger counterparts who were themselves financially struggling at higher than average rates for domestic Australian tertiary students. Here, mature-age social work students’ experiences and perspectives are presented using quantitative data and students’ own qualitative responses. The results have important implications for social work educators and administrators, and wider policy ramifications regarding student equity.

IMPLICATIONS

• These findings provide a spotlight for national bodies, universities, educators, policy makers, sector partners, and researchers into the under-researched, lived realities for mature-aged Australian social work students.

• Better understanding the grinding effect of poverty on many mature-aged social work students can spur political action to enact systemic change.

KEYWORDS:

• Social Work
• Social Work Education
• Poverty
• Students
• Family Responsibilities

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the organisations and the partnership that supported the research, the social work students who completed the survey, academic and student champions, and the valuable guidance of the study reference group.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Susan Gair http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2139-0269