Gender Differences in Higher Educational Aspirations: The Role of Siblings as Protective Agents

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 63

Abstract

College enrollment rates for Latina/o students are rising, but continue to lag behind white students. The stark differences in enrollment rates are even larger between gender. Women outpace men in academic achievement and are more likely to persist in college and obtain graduate degrees in the U.S. Using data from a school-wide survey in a Southern California high school, this study examines how race and gender jointly influence educational aspirations. Findings suggest the gab between male and female students is much larger than the gap between White and Latina/o students. Implications for this study point to the impact of culture and gender norms in the educational and vocational aspirations of Latinos.

Authors

• Patricia Martin, University of California - Los Angeles

• Rebeca Mireles-Rios, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Jasmin Morales, University of California - Santa Barbara