Carelessness in higher education: How the neoliberal university shapes the experiences of food insecure student‐parents

Abstract

AbstractThis qualitative case study explores how neoliberalism affects how food insecure student‐parents experience higher education. Drawing on interviews with administrators, student activists, and student‐parents at one U.S. research university, this article argues that neoliberalism's emphasis on revenue generation and a shift toward individualism has significant consequences for the most marginalized students, creating an environment in which the university provides few resources to support them. We suggest that campuses should take steps to dismantle the ethic of carelessness, a lack of attention to students' care responsibilities, that has pervaded higher education.Practical Takeaways Universities increasingly rely on philanthropy to support marginalized students, but the reach of these philanthropic efforts is limited. In some cases, outside groups put stipulations on the receipt of funds, which shapes university programs. Although food insecurity has received increasing attention at research universities, student‐parents are often neglected in campuswide initiatives, leaving many to seek out supports on their own.