Perceptions of Undocumented Status and Possible Selves Among Latino/a Youth

Although only a portion of Latina/o adolescents in the United States are undocumented, the social perception of legal status may influence Latina/o youth living in immigrant communities more broadly. This perception has implications not only for how Latina/o youth understand themselves but also for how they construct their aspirations. Qualitative interviews and consensual qualitative research protocols were utilized to understand how perceptions of legal status might change images of possible selves for 14 Latina/o adolescents in an emerging immigrant community. Students described their hopes and worries for themselves as well as the prospects for a "typical" Latina/o peer and an undocumented Latina/o peer. Themes show more hopefulness for students’ own sense of self, a mixed opinion on the possibilities for a "typical" peer, and a hopeless view of the future for an undocumented youth. Implications for promoting hopeful possible selves within the constraints of the social context are offered.
Source: The Counseling Psychologist - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Regular Manuscripts Source Type: research