Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Alexa Dare

Second Advisor

Dr. David Givens

Abstract

This qualitative study sought to examine how the messages communicated by one’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) surrounding higher education influence his or her educational journey. The philosophical structure of this study is derived from Gerry Philipsen’s Speech Codes theory (1992). The data acquired in this study were gathered from participants in both interviews and questionnaires. The results of this study indicate that there is a correlation between the messages communicated surrounding higher education and one’s decision to pursue higher education as a goal. Positive communication surrounding higher education results in the student deciding to pursue that goal. While on the other hand, negative or no communication regarding higher education results in the student not making higher education a priority. This study yielded results that support the hypothesis and demonstrate how Speech Codes (Philipsen, 1992) between the caretaker and youth and community and youth/care taker can impact the youth’s view of higher education. Thus, the findings herein support the need for further research on this topic.

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