ACCESS AND ASPIRATIONS - CAREERS IN TEACHING AS SEEN BY CANADIAN UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS OF CHINESE AND PUNJABI-SIKH ANCESTRY

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.