Multigenerational Punishment and Its Impact on Academics: Latinx/a/o College Students Protecting Undocumented Parents at All Costs

This study explores the academic experiences of Latinx/a/o college students with undocumented parents. Nineteen qualitative interviews oriented by Latino/a Critical Theory and Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action were utilized. Findings suggest that Latinx/a/o college students with undocumented parents experience multigenerational punishment when it comes to their academics and feel as though they must protect their parents at all costs (emotional, physical, financial, aspirational, and time) throughout their K-12 and higher education journeys.