From social mobility to personal empowerment: intergenerational change in the perceptions of Arab-Israeli students toward higher education
通过对20名阿拉伯裔以色列大学生的深度访谈，发现父母视高等教育为经济稳定的传统路径，而子女则将其视为个人成长和身份协商的空间，揭示了少数族裔家庭中代际观念的差异。
This study examines intergenerational dynamics within Arab families in Israel regarding attitudes toward higher education. Drawing on the broader context of a historically underrepresented minority group undergoing rapid social change, it explores how families engage with the education of the younger generation. Based on 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with Arab university students – most of whom are first-generation attendees – the research reveals notable generational differences in perceptions and practices between parents and their children. While parents tend to view higher education as a secure and traditional path to economic and occupational stability, the younger generation perceives academia as a space for personal growth, identity negotiation, and self-development. These students increasingly identify with an emerging Arab middle class that values academic achievement and seeks integration into broader educational and professional spheres. The study highlights the family as a key site where cultural change, gender expectations, and intergenerational aspirations are actively negotiated. Findings are discussed in relation to international literature on minority groups and their engagement with higher education.