Tryin’ to Make It During the Transition From High School: The Role of Family Obligation Attitudes and Economic Context for Latino-Emerging Adults

The aim of the current study was to examine the role of familial and economic context in the decisions and behaviors of low-income, urban Latinos during the transition from high school. Thirty-two Latino emerging adults who graduated from a public high school participated in one-on-one in-depth interviews about their transition. Participants discussed family obligation attitudes as a central theme in the decisions they made about life after high school and in the multiple responsibilities they assumed during this period. Furthermore, financial circumstances played a role in whether they worked and/or attended college and in their multiple responsibilities. Participants discussed familial and financial responsibilities on top of school and/or work responsibilities. Another theme discussed by participants was the transition as a stressful period. Implications and future directions in research on emerging adulthood are discussed.