Hoped-For Selves: Using Possible Selves to Explore the Career and College-Going Aspirations for Gang-Involved Latino Boys

Abstract

Gang-involved children dream of becoming respected members of society through professional careers, educational degrees or credentials, and socioeconomic mobility. This qualitative study used hoped-for selves as the theoretical grounding for exploring the career and college-going aspirations of 28 middle- and high-school gang-involved Latino boys attending three urban alternative schools. Findings centered on the career and college-going aspirations of the two—and four-year institution educational credentials needed for social mobility. This article aims to help K-12 and higher education faculty, practitioners, researchers, and administrators considering working with ganginvolved youth to understand better how to support this marginalized group’s educational needs and improve pathways into careers and postsecondary education systems.