Vocational and Academic Educational Aspirations among Students with and without a Migratory Background in Italy

Alessio Buonomo , University of Naples Federico II
Giuseppe Gabrielli, University of Naples Federico II
Giustina Orientale Caputo, University of Naples Federico II
Giuseppe Gargiulo, University of Naples Federico II

Using data from the Italian Integration of the Second Generation survey, we aim to analyze vocational and academic aspirations of students enrolled in secondary schools. Research questions relate the existing gaps by migratory status of both vocational and academic aspirations and the role of individual and familial characteristics and behaviors in understanding these gaps. The paper supports the importance of conducting in-depth analyses of different ethnic groups and migratory generations. Main findings show that the current theoretical approaches associated with educational aspirations are not fully confirmed when looking at vocational and academic aspirations separately. Vocational aspiration only partially supports the migrant optimism approach, while information bias of migrants is not observed in academic aspiration. The role of significant others, e.g. relatives, peers, and teachers, as well as of blocked opportunities, concerning self-perceived future penalties, obstacles, and discrimination, are confirmed in defining the two educational aspirations, but with different magnitude

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 Presented in Session P1. Postercafe