Latino success stories in higher education: A qualitative study of recent graduates from a health science center. Page: 157

                                
importance of having family members who were supportive of her educational ambitions since
their help was needed throughout the educational process. She relied on the help of her mother,
her second husband, and her children as she pursued her higher education dreams, so it could be
argued that the Nurse's definition of educational background includes personal perceptions and
goals, family background, and cultural background as well.
The Scientist
The Scientist's definition of family background seemed to include his belief that his
value of education, which was learned from his parents, allowed him to succeed in higher
education. Because the Scientist started his interview sessions by tying his parents to education,
it seems the two concepts are integral to each other. While the Scientist's parents valued
education, he clearly valued education too, finishing high school as salutatorian of his class and
choosing academics over athletics. So the Scientist's parents created a culture of education in the
home; therefore, it could be argued that the Scientist's definition of family background includes
educational background, personal perceptions and goals, and cultural background as well.
The Internist
The Internist's definition of family background seemed to include the culture of self-
improvement fostered by his parents, and his own belief that family is the source of a person's
development. While the Internist attributed his success in higher education to family background,
he talked about how he mimicked his parents' values when he was growing up and does so even
today. The Internist said that family background was the reason for his success, but he believed
his values were learned from his parents. So it could be argued that the Internist's definition of

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