Poster #73 - Identifying Perceptual Patterns of Resilience Among First-Generation Mexican Immigrant Parents

• In Event: 79.052 - MTCC Poster Session 19
  In Poster Session: 79.052-9 - Poster Session

Abstract

Informing the current political debate, this study seeks to understand how recently arrived Mexican immigrant parents view themselves, their children, and school as a nondominate minority living in a predominately middle class, Anglo community. The ecocultural framework informing this study highlights resiliency outcomes to counter the narratives of vulnerability, victimization, and suffering that often dominate politically driven research on undocumented Mexican immigrants. Findings revealed patterns of resilience in two ecocultural levels as themes of perseverance, hope, pride, optimism, high expectations, confidence, encouragement, connectedness, enthusiasm and empowerment emerged. The study concludes that a tightly knit community with resilient levels of social capital, potentially reinforce a child’s commitment to academic achievement and provide a successful pathway to a productive adulthood.

Author

• Cheryl Marie Bowen, Santa Clara University