Familismo and Latina College Graduates: How Cultural Norms and Capital Influence Collegiate Experiences and Outcomes

Familismo, a prominent cultural value emphasizing strong familial bonds, loyalty, and collective decision-making, profoundly influences the educational experiences of Latinas. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of eight Latina undergraduate college graduates regarding how familismo shaped their college experiences and bachelor’s degree completion. Through semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation, rich narratives were collected and analyzed using restorying techniques, visual timelines, and thematic coding connected to Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth framework. Participants identified the vital role of culturally responsive support, representation, and affinity groups in helping them harness the strengths of familismo.