Perceptions Regarding Education as a Way to Improve Living Conditions in Mexico: a Qualitative Exploration

This study explores perceptions about educational attainment as a way to improve living conditions in Mexico. We focus specifically on two questions: (1) What are people's perceptions towards educational attainment and improved living conditions?; and (2a) Do these perceptions differ by the level of education attained; (2b) Do these perceptions differ by gender? The research draws upon data from semi-structured interviews (N=247) that were conducted in four Mexican states with different levels of social welfare: Mexico City, Tamaulipas, State of Mexico, and Oaxaca. The interviewees were selected using the snowball method and other eligibility criteria such as level of education and age (17 years and older), and the data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The findings show that respondents with lower levels of education saw education as a means to securing better jobs and better outcomes in other spheres of their lives. Contradictory sentiments were expressed by respondents in the graduate education group, while some respondents in this group saw educational attainment as a way of ensuring access to well-paying jobs and better welfare other indicated that education does not always guarantee a change in their socioeconomic status. As expected, a strong link between educational attainment and improved living conditions was reported by respondents in the highly educated group. Implications for policy and gendered interventions are suggested.