The Role of Family in Latinx Students Science Education and Careers

The present study qualitatively investigated the role of family in Latinx students’ science pursuit and explored gender patterns among participants. Latinx students represent 10% of Bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields, and compose only 8% of the STEM workforce (Student Research Foundation, 2020). Familismo, the promotion of loyalty and obedience within the family, is a prevalent cultural value among Latinx individuals (Stake, 2006) and influences Latinx students’ educational aspirations (e.g., Killoren et al., 2017). This study addressed the following questions: (1) ) How does family shape Latinx students’ experiences in education and careers in the sciences?, and (2) Are there gender patterns regarding the ways in which Latinx youth discuss the role of family in their pursuit of science education and careers? One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with students from a summer science-mentoring program targeting Latinx students. The sample included 11 Latinx youth participants (54% high school, 45% college, 55% male). Families were found to influence participants in the following ways: (1) communicating a sense of pride and encouragement in the student (2) having high educational expectations, (3) their limited experiences with higher education, and (4) balancing academic and familial responsibilities. Analyses for gender patterns highlighted similarities and differences in messages and expectations between males and females. This study provides context into how families influence Latinx students pursuing the sciences and provides suggestions for interventions and future programs of research.