Women and education

In many places of the world, including the U.S., women outperform men in educational attainment. So it might seem that women these days have it pretty good.

In Utah, though, women are lagging behind men. This lack of education can be dangerous for women if they unexpectedly find themselves needing to provide an income for their families. Unemployment, divorce, death, and poverty are common problems no matter where you live, and it helps to be prepared.

You know education matters, but the obstacles to getting that degree might seem insurmountable. And it's true that if you are considering going back to school when you've got children at home, some creativity might be required to make it work for you.

Many women still leave school for family obligations, or don't get enough education in the first place. Others choose fields or programs that aren't sufficient to provide for a family, while still others may have entered a demanding field that they soon discovered was incompatible with their family goals.

No matter what your situation is, if you find yourself in a position to go back to school after you've left for a while, you know it won't be easy. After all, you have to pay for it somehow, which may be a stretch, especially if your motivation for going back to school in the first place is financial. And if you have kids or other family responsibilities, how are you going to handle that?

The good news is, you aren't the first to be in this situation, and there are programs that can help. Getting an education, whether it's a traditional degree program or not, can enrich your life and the lives of your family members. Check out our financial aid and child care sections to learn more about what options are available to you.

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Links about women and education:

Utah Women and Education Initiative

How lack of career preparation hurts families, Part 1 (educational gender gap in Utah)

How lack of career preparation hurts families, Part 2 (economic situations of women in Utah)

Women and higher education in Utah, Part 1(factors influencing women's education in Utah)

Women and higher education in Utah, Part 2 (factors influencing women's education in Utah)

Going back to school with kids