A Counterstory of a Mexican American Family Getting to College on Their Own Terms

• In Event: 42.022 - Knowledge to Action: Academic Journeys in and out of School

Abstract

This qualitative study is a counter story to the dominant narrative of economic stagnation of Mexican Americans after the 2nd generation (Telles & Ortiz, 2008, Neidert & Farley, 1985, Salgado, C. 2014) linked to lower educational attainment, (Snipp, M. & Hirschmann, C., 2004) who do not fare better than that of their immigrant peers (Chavez-Reyes, 2010). Participants reveal how they harnessed cultural wealth, within chosen social networks, to strengthen social capital as a conduit to higher education settings. Their social networks are characterized by relationships focused on processing the inner turmoil of integrating personal and academic development problematized by a school system whose staff is perceived as detached, key institutional figures as unsupportive, and curriculum as too restrictive.

Authors

• Amanda Jo Cordova, University of Texas At San Antonio

• Juan Manuel Nino, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Encarnacion Garza