Abandon school or social life? Drop-outs inuppe secondary education in Oaxaca

Abstract

In spite of a decade of public policies, higher secondary school dropout continues to be a problem. A central question is what the main reasons are to leave school. Public policies assume that the causes are of an economic or academic nature. However, this study in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, finds that the chief motivation is not academic. According to many youngsters, they like to go out with friends and partners and have a social live, but this aspect of youth culture is often incompatible with school organization, causing students to flunk and abandon.