Linking Familism and the (mis)alignment of Preferences with Identity Theory

• In Event: 129 - Section on Latino/a Sociology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 03. Latino Family Dynamics

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the (mis)alignment of preferences for living near home during college. The research surrounding familism, defined as prioritizing the collective orientation of the family over individual goals, argues that this disposition adversely affects some Latino adolescents from applying and attending college—especially if they have to leave home (Desmond and Turley 2009). I include a more robust measure of the familism proxy by examining the (mis)alignment of preferences which refers to whether the parental and student reports misalign or align based on how important it is for a student to live near home. Using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS), I find that Latino adolescents are more likely to align with their parents in stating that it is “very important” to live near home during college. I use identity theory as the general theoretical framework and specifically apply counterroles and counteridentities to understand the roles of students and parents during the transition to college. Future research will examine how these relationships matter during the transition to postsecondary education.

Author

• Nicole Perez, University of Notre Dame