Temporal conflicts and time management: the temporal structure of academic mothers in China

Purpose The gender stratification in academia and the motherhood penalties women face can be attributed to the additional responsibilities women assume following the transition to motherhood. This study aims to examine the impact of motherhood on the life course of female scholars, including the changes they experience, their feelings and the strategies they adopt. Design/methodology/approach The study interviewed academic mothers in journalism and communication in China. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted, excluding time-related questions. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed following the interviewees’ consent. Approximately 200,000 words of interview notes were coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti 8 software. Findings This research indicates that childbirth can accelerate the temporal dynamics of academic women’s lives, affecting both their work and family domains and reshaping the internal structure of their life processes. This creates a conflict between the roles of scholar and mother, leading to emotions such as guilt and self-reproach, prompting the development of time management strategies to navigate complex life processes. Originality/value This study examines the changes in female scholar’s temporal structure following the transition to motherhood, the resulting existential mood and time management. An exploration of Chinese mothers’ time management offers insights into the pervasive academic capitalism and the tyranny of time.