Mechanisms and Messages: Gender and Generational Transfer of the Value of College

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Posters Related to College and University Student Access

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine intergenerational factors of possible influence on high school students’ college attendance plans as they are mediated by socio-economic status and moderated by gender. We examined grandparents’ college attendance influence on their granddaughters’ and grandsons’ value of college, both directly and indirectly through parents’ education and occupational status to still further influence high schoolers’ value of post-secondary education for themselves. Our analysis revealed that both paternal grandparents' educational levels had a significant direct effect on male students' aspirations after taking parental education into account, while it had no impact for female students. Further, we found that family income predicted attending some form of college attendance, making more of a difference for male students.

Authors

• Nancy S. Niemi, University of New Haven

• Julia B. Smith, Oakland University