Effects of cultural orientation on the perception of conflict between relationship and education goals for Mexican American college students

Cultural factors internal to the ethnic group may exacerbate external and e conomic barriers to the pursuit of higher education for Mexican American st udents. In particular; cultural variables related to traditional, relations hip-oriented behaviors and expectations may be perceived to conflict with e ducational pursuits. The present study examined the relationship between co mponents of cultural orientation and attitudes and values that may create t ension between relationship and educational goals for Mexican American men and women. Results of a survey that assessed Cultural orientation and marri age and gender role attitudes of Mexican Americans (female, N = 356; male, N = 200) indicated that the ethnic-loyalty component of cultural orientatio n most consistently predicted adherence to beliefs that may lead to the per ception of conflict between relationship and educational goals. Discussion centers on the role of ethnic loyalty us a risk factor for Mexican American men's and women's decisions to pursue and complete higher education.