Deciding to Go to University

Abstract

Going to university is often characterised as a rite of passage to adulthood which also offers future career and financial benefits to the graduate. However, in this study the findings indicated that for working-class women, a strong justification for going to university was needed. The discernment phase of internal conversation considers ‘aspirations, reproaches and challenges’ (Archer, Being human the problem of agency. Cambridge University Press, 2000, p. 235), as individuals weigh-up the risk factors of life projects with potential future rewards. These internal conversations centred on a moral entitlement to a place at university based on academic capabilities or to fulfil their career aspirations through teacher training. For Horizon-Expanders, Incremental-Hybrids and Returners, the discernment phase of internal conversation when considering if university was a ‘worthwhile’ project was more extensive and protracted, than for the Mobility-Maintainers.