"I Just Wish I Can Change That": Immigrant-Origin Youths' Aspirations in Challenging Contexts of Reception

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eight
  In Roundtable Session: Centering Youth Voices in Educational Research (Table 3)

Abstract

It is widely accepted that—beyond immigrants’ traits and motivation—the context of reception determines their experiences and opportunities. However, less is known about how the context of reception shapes immigrant-origin youths’ professional aspirations. Therefore, drawing on the theory context of reception, this study examines how immigrant-origin adolescents describe the origins of their aspirations. The analysis is based on data from 25.5 hours of semi-structured interviews with 14 immigrant-origin students from two suburban middle schools. The data suggest that many participants’ professional aspirations were closely related to their experiences, as determined by the contexts of reception’ political, economic, and sociocultural dimensions. Findings can help educators attend to aspirations appropriately, implement culturally relevant teaching, and provide electives to match students’ ambitions.

Author

• Anita Caduff, University of California - San Diego
  Presenting Author