Wearing two crowns: A Phenomelogical study on the lived experiences of female school administrators as mothers and leaders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v11i3.3952Keywords:
Education, Leadership, Phenomenology, gender studies, MotherhoodAbstract
This study explores the lived experiences of female school administrators at one higher education institution in the Philippines who juggle the dual roles of educational leader and maternal responsibilities. Grounded in a qualitative phenomenological research design, the study investigates how these mothers negotiate the intersecting and often competing demands of professional authority and maternal care. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with eight purposely selected administrators and analyzed using thematic analysis assisted by Delve software. The findings reveal three central themes: (1) the persistent challenges of maintaining boundaries amidst heavy workloads, emotional exhaustion, and health constraints; (2) the profound impact of professional responsibilities on parenting, which necessitates constant reprioritization and often leads to the bleeding of leadership behaviors into domestic interactions; and (3) the cognitive and emotional processes of "making sense" of their dual lives, achieved through resilience, faith, and a redefinition of success beyond professional titles. The study concludes that while the tension between these "two crowns" is significant, female administrators cultivate a distinct leadership style rooted in empathy and adaptability. These insights underscore the critical need for higher education institutions to implement structural support systems, such as flexible work arrangements and mental health initiatives, to sustain the well-being and retention of mother-leaders.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ara Krisha P. Aviles, Jand Rhea O. Licup, Bethany O. Manabat, Krishell Joy A Mangana, Aireen Abiera
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