J. Beynon et K. Toohey, ACCESS AND ASPIRATIONS - CAREERS IN TEACHING AS SEEN BY CANADIAN UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS OF CHINESE AND PUNJABI-SIKH ANCESTRY, Alberta journal of educational research, 41(4), 1995, pp. 435-461
This study, based on interviews with 34 Canadian university students,
22 of Chinese ancestry and 12 of Punjabi-Sikh ancestry, revealed that
cultural influences (i.e., parents' views about the desirability of te
aching) and structural barriers (i.e., discrimination in schools and i
nsufficient instructional support in academic English) are implicated
in individuals' perceptions of teaching careers. Increasing participat
ion in teaching requires a theoretical perspective that includes these
factors as well as the views of individuals who interpret and react t
o them. This research shows there is diversity in the way these factor
s operate in the two ethnic groups, as well as diversity based on gend
er and individual perspectives and experiences. Recommendations made f
or increasing participation in teaching attend to this variability.