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Young People's Higher Education Choices: the role of family and friends.
- Source :
-
British Journal of Sociology of Education . Jul2003, Vol. 24 Issue 3, p283. 15p. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Previous studies of higher education (HE) choice have tended to draw a strong contrast between the decisions made by young people from working-class backgrounds and those of their middle-class peers. This paper draws on a qualitative, longitudinal study to argue that such assumptions about social class homogeneity overlook the very different ways in which students from a similar (middle class) location come to understand the HE sector. It also suggests that while families have a strong influence on young people's conceptualisation of the sector, friends and peers play an important role in informing decisions about what constitutes a 'feasible' choice. Indeed, this paper shows how rankings within friendship groups were, in many cases, transposed directly onto a hierarchy of HE institutions and courses. On the basis of this evidence, it concludes that a two-step interaction between family and friends best explains the decision-making processes in which these young people were engaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *HIGHER education
*CHOICE (Psychology)
*YOUTH
*FAMILIES
*DECISION making
*EDUCATION
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01425692
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- British Journal of Sociology of Education
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 10282617
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/01425690301896