“Sometimes I Feel That Going to College Was a Waste of Time”: Latinas’ Lived Experiences Navigating Culture, Gender, and Marriage Post-College Degree

Author

• Nancy Peña, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Curriculum & Instruction

First Advisor

Laura M. Jewett

Second Advisor

Pauli Badenhorst

Third Advisor

Ana Carolina Díaz Beltrán

Abstract

This qualitative critical narrative study explores how Latinas navigate and make meaning of gender roles within their heterosexual marriages post-college graduation. Data are collected via semi-structured interviews with 10 Latina participants: an initial plática focus group, followed by individual interviews, and a final plática focus group for member checking. Key findings reveal that despite Latinas acquiring autonomy, stability, negotiated power, personal growth, and social development as a result of attaining a degree in higher education, overall development is limited due to heightened responsibilities, persistent gender hierarchies, continuous religious norms, and constant gender role guilt. The evidence suggests that although attaining a degree in higher education grants Latinas certain advancements, it does not eliminate their traditional gender roles within marriage.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Nancy Peña. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3371103969

Recommended Citation

Peña, N. (2026). “Sometimes I Feel That Going to College Was a Waste of Time”: Latinas’ Lived Experiences Navigating Culture, Gender, and Marriage Post-College Degree [Doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1876