“I'd Like Something Better for Them”: Using Thematic Analysis to Explore Views Among Latino Migrant Farmworker Adolescents on Their Siblings and Future Children Following in Their Occupational Footsteps

ABSTRACT Migration to the United States (US) for work can be seen as a family financial strategy to maximize human resources and income. However, adolescents may value migration as a “life changer” for their family's future. This qualitative study explored male Latino migrant adolescents' views about their siblings and future children following in their footsteps as migrant farmworkers in the US A total of 20 migrant adolescents in agriculture (aged 15–20; M age = 17.75; 50% H‐2A visa holders; 50% undocumented; 50% from Mexico; 50% from Guatemala) were interviewed in Spanish in Georgia and Florida. Audio‐recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed in Spanish using NVivo 14. Thematic analysis highlighted three core themes: (1) The future of agricultural work for adolescents' siblings is unclear, (2) Adolescents want to ensure their future children have a successful life, and (3) Adolescents are working toward a better future for themselves. Implications for future research are discussed in the context of unaccompanied migrant farmworker adolescents. Particularly, as LMFA come of age without the company of their siblings or parents, family priorities could be further complicated by precarious work situations, US living costs, and the possibility of raising a family in the US.