ERIC Number: ED642326
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 171
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-7806-0081-7
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Relationships between Working-Class, First-Generation College Students and Their Parent(s)/Guardian(s): A Phenomenological Study on the Impacts of Middle-Class Socialization
Lindsay Ellen Mason
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Northern Colorado
This constructionist phenomenological dissertation study explored stories from nine working-class, first-generation college students, specifically how middle-class socialization on a four-year university campus located in the Mountain West region of the United States impacts the relationships with their parent(s)/guardian(s). My primary research question was: How does attending college at a 4-year public university influence first-generation, working-class students' relationships with their parent(s)/guardian(s)? My sub-research questions were: What role does middle-class socialization that occurs on a 4-year public university campus play in impacting this relationship? And what role does online learning/remote learning during this COVID-19 period play in impacting this relationship? I used Yosso's (2005) Community Cultural Wealth theory and Hurst's (2010) Loyalist, Renegade, and Double Agent study as the two main theoretical frameworks for this study. For data collection, I use semi-structured interviews, a researcher diary, and a panel of experts from the research site. My data analysis revealed eight significant shared stories amongst the participants. This manuscript style dissertation offers a deep dive into two of the findings, space and work ethic. Space was revealed as a class-influenced value. Space showed up as geographical space between family, privacy, such as having a private bedroom, and consistently sharing space with family to do chores together. Additionally, being a strong worker to be valued by both the student and their parent(s)/guardian(s), but difficult to demonstrate through coursework. The working-class parent(s)/guardian(s) defined working hard as physical labor. It was difficult for their student to demonstrate that they are working hard when their work does not require physical exertion. My conclusion chapter includes a brief description of the remaining six shared stories: Being successful in college to make sure their parent(s)'/guardian(s)' sacrifices were worth it, particularly if the parent/guardian immigrated to the United States; starting to value mental health; religious parent(s)/guardian(s) being nervous about their child being away from the church; transitioning from a strict household to an environment that encourages freedom of choice; transitioning from a high school where most of the students are of color to a predominantly white institution; and lastly, I found it significant that every participant was able to identify a specific program or service on campus that helped them be successful. Reflection questions and programmatic recommendations for higher education professionals are provided in the two manuscripts. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: First Generation College Students, Working Class, Middle Class Culture, Standards, Socialization, Social Class, Parent Student Relationship, Public Colleges, College Attendance, COVID-19, Pandemics, Emergency Programs, School Closing, Distance Education, Electronic Learning, Work Ethic, Family Environment, Space Utilization, Work Attitudes, Educational Attitudes
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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