The Role of Latinx Families in Fostering College Academic Achievement Among Youth

• In Event: Cross-Cultural Exploration of Schools as Sites for Adolescent Development

Abstract

The role of Latinx families in their adolescent’s educational journey is critical for youth’s development and achievement in school, inclusive of both K-12 education and in the transition to postsecondary education. This paper draws on Funds of Knowledge (FoK) and Phenomenological Variant Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) and addresses how Latinx families engage themselves in youth’s education to foster academic achievement towards higher education pathways. Three themes illustrate the ways in which Latinx families are cultivating academic achievement with their youth: Parental socialization in valuing education, parents modeling resourcefulness to support youth’s education, and parents cultivating youth’s self-efficacy. Findings suggest the varied ways Latinx families promote and transfer adaptive coping mechanisms to youth for higher education achievement.

Authors

• Elia Bueno, University of Arizona

• Judy Marquez Kiyama, University of Arizona

• Elena Calderon, University of Arizona