A Comparison of Low Socio-economic Mexican American Students' and Parents' Attitudes toward College Educationl

Abstract

A sample survey showed that low socio-economic (SES) Mexican American students (N = 70) held favorable attitudes toward college education. Students, however, when compared with their parents, held significantly less favorable attitudes toward college education. That over one-half of the students did not plan on attending college reflected this attitude. The discrepan cy between the students' attitudes and their parents' attitudes was attributed, in large part, to generational differences. The discrepancy between the students' favorable attitudes toward col lege and their hesitancy to enroll in college was attributed, in part, to a growing discontentment with college education. The importance of a student perceiving his home environment as con ducive to education is also discussed.