Academic Women’s Careers and the Motherhood Penalty: Intersectional Challenges in the Arab Middle East

Purpose
This study, informed by intersectionality and social role theories, aims to explore the interplay among micro-level factors (e.g. gender and professional identities, pregnancy and maternity) and macro-level elements (e.g. institutional policies and employment contracts) and their implications for academic career trajectories for women in an Arab Middle Eastern context.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through comprehensive, face-to-face interviews with 20 women affiliated with four universities in Jordan. These participants included both current mothers and those expecting to become mothers.

Findings
Our findings highlight significant academic disadvantages, where women in academia face compounded challenges arising from the intersection of their motherhood status and the demands of maintaining a professional identity. Unclear maternity policies and limited institutional support during pregnancy lead to structural disadvantages, exacerbating the work-family conflict for women in academia.

Practical implications
From a policy perspective, our findings inform university policymakers on supporting women academics during pregnancy and motherhood, enhancing inclusion and diversity and reducing work-family conflict and gender discriminatory stereotypes.

Originality/value
This study offers a theoretical contribution by extending intersectionality and social role theories into the context of academic career development, highlighting how institutional structures and identity-based norms shape women’s career trajectories in the Arab Middle East. Practically, it provides valuable insights for organizational policy, particularly in areas such as maternity support, employment practices and gender-inclusive career progression frameworks in higher education.