Unveiling the Power of Parental Support: Exploring Supportive Expressions for First-Generation Latina Undergraduates

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 4:55 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Role of Parents and Family in the K–12 and College Experience of Latina/o/x Students (Table 6)

Abstract

The influence that Latino parents have on the success of Latino/a college students has been increasingly explored in recent years. While Latino parents are now recognized as having a largely positive role in their children’s postsecondary pursuits, very few efforts have endeavored to understand the specific ways in which parents lend their support. Thus, the purpose of this study was to obtain a rich understanding of the various supportive expressions desired by first-generation Latina undergraduates and those delivered by their parents during their pursuit of a degree. Findings from 26 interviews unveil the power that parental support has on the postsecondary experience of first-generation college students by providing insight into the relevance of diverse forms of support from Latino parents.

Author

• Diana Magana, University of California - Santa Barbara