My life, my style and my culture

College students from Hispanic and Caucasian families differ: How are the differences useful

in understanding how families from each culture perform certain basic functions?

Margarita Avila

HypothesisThe researcher hypothesized that the implications of this study are that Caucasian and Hispanic college students are similar with regard to their concepts of fairness and unfairness between families. Education is the key to individual opportunity, the strength of economy, and the vitality of family in Caucasian and Hispanic college students .

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR EDUCATION TO YOU?

Extremely Important

Very Important

Somewhat Important

Important

Not Important

Hispanic

Caucasian

IntroductionThis study explored the manner

insight into the relationships between culture, lifestyle, and college

education.

Literature ReviewThis study focused on family

cohesion in relation to academic performance between African Americans and Caucasian college students. Results suggested that families have different impacts on academic outcomes across ethnic groups (Walker, 2002).

Literature ReviewEthnic, racial, and multiracial

diversity in the population is reflected in higher education. Data indicate that racial/ethnic minority students are graduating at a lower rate than White students, but the data also show that they are making educational gains (Racial/ethnic Diversity in the United States and Psychology, 2002)

Literature ReviewAlthough there is no doubt variability within each

culture, in many Asian cultures, parents place a strong emphasis on doing well in college and exert a great deal of social pressure on their children to succeed. Parents often make personal sacrifices of time, money and others resources so that their child can go to college. The social status of the family is enhanced when a family member gains admission to a prestigious college. In contrast, in the United States, pursuing a college education is often more of an individual decision. Parents may place less social pressure on high school students to attend college and may not provide financial support if their child chooses to pursue a college education (Karau, Komarraju &Ramayah, 2007).

Literature ReviewNearly nine in 10 Hispanics say it is

"necessary" to get a college education to get ahead in life — more than any other ethnic or racial group in the USA. The findings, reported in a survey released today by the Pew Hispanic Center, suggest several reasons for the divide between aspirations and reality, including language barriers, parents' abilities to play an active role in education and students' desires to help support their families (Greg Toppo, 2009)

Literature ReviewIn the journal, Family Involvement Partnership for

Learning Richard W. Riley (2005) U.S. Secretary of Education asserts that:

"The American family is the rock on which a solid education can be built. I have seen examples all over this nation where two-parent families, single parents, stepparents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are providing strong families support for their children to learn. If families teach the love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to their children."

Methods: Participants30 students enrolled at a four-year private

Midwestern liberal arts college were recruited to participate in the survey. There were 15 Caucasian: 6 males and 9 females. As well as 15 Hispanic: 5 male and 10 female. Out of the respondents together Caucasian and Hispanic students 37% were freshmen, 20% sophomores, 20% juniors, 20% seniors and 3% Super Senior. Therefore, there were representatives for lower and upper classmen in the sample.

Methods: Materials & ProceduresAn exploratory questionnaire was used to collect

information. Questions that consists of 25 open and closed-ended questions. Questions were focused on college education, the present and future impact on students families.

The researcher's completed the Hispanic surveys with students outside Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Participants were assigned to the same classroom. The survey took 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Participants were asked not put their names on the surveys for the purpose of anonymity.

Results

Yes No05

10152025

Do you have a job?

Differences between Caucasian and Hispanic college students working and going to school.

02468

CAUCASIAN HISPANIC

What is the highest level of education your mother has?

To compare the differences between an Caucasian and Hispanic mother in the aspect of education.

ResultsTo understand the communication between

students and parents, How often do you talk to your parents?

Caucasian Hispanic60% Often 55% Often25% Sometimes 25% Sometimes10% Almost Never 5% Almost Never5% Almost Always 15% Almost Always

Who is the first person you will call if you are in a serious car accident? Together both Caucasian and Hispanic students 90% will call their parents.

Results

NONE ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVER OR MORE

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

HISPANICCAUCASIAN

BESIDES ENGLISH HOW MANY LANGUAGES CAN YOU SPEAK?

Results Why Caucasian and Hispanic students are

attending to college, List 2 reasons why you are in college? The range in the Caucasian students was for a job, and Hispanic students said for a better future.

Caucasian and Hispanic have different culture, but there is something in common, please list three cultural activities such as festivals and other social gatherings unique to your ethnic group? The most frequently was Christmas in both ethnicities.

Quinceañeras are a unique festival of the Hispanic culture

DiscussionCaucasian and Hispanic have certain

holidays and celebrations within their own culture and families.

The researcher was also concerned with the extent to which students from both ethnicities family is an important support will the student is in college.

College education is the path for a bright future in both cultures.

LimitationsThere were limitations to this

research:

◦Radio of male and female were unequal .

◦The results could be much stronger if all the students were attending to the same college.

Directions for future StudyFuture research would benefit

from a less homogenous sample in general, particularly regarding age, family values and socioeconomic status. Also, depth explanations in the relationship between parents and students in college atmosphere.