Transformations: immigration, family life, and achievement motivation among Latino adolescents

Abstract

This book focuses on migration family life and achievement motivation among Latino adolescents. Reported are the findings of a 3-year interdisciplinary research project that was carried out by a research anthropologist and a research psychologist in an area of emigration in central Mexico and in an immigrant-receiving area of southern California. Chapter 1 frames the current American discourse on immigration in the context of a broader postindustrial paradox. Chapter 2 presents some debates in the field of Latino immigration with special reference to family dynamics achievement motivation and schooling. The chapter also examines competing paradigms for exploring the problem of minority status and schooling. Chapter 3 explores theoretical concerns and methodological challenges facing psychological anthropology and cross-cultural psychology in the postmodern moment. It further provides an outline of study methods including a description of informants and instruments used in conducting the research. Chapter 4 presents findings on family dynamics and explores the important psychosocial differences in peer group dynamics. Chapter 5 focuses on achievement motivation and attitudes toward school. The last chapter reviews the prevailing worldwide debate over immigration and offers some general conclusions.