Good or Bad? Peer Influences on Latino and European American Adolescents' Pathways Through School

Drawing on Sociocultural and Bridging Multiple Worlds models, this article reports 2 longitudinal studies of peers as resources and challenges for students' school performance and future planning. Study 1 examined European American and Latino students' perceptions of peers' emotional support, academic guidance, and companionship from elementary to junior high school. In both school years, most students had at least 1 friend who provided each resource. Links between resources and grades were stronger in junior high than in elementary school. As predicted, students' perceptions of peers' overall encouragement or discouragement of school were linked to English and math grades. Study 2 examined peers as challenges and resources for youth in a community college academic outreach program. Participants saw peers as both challenges and resources in reaching career goals and as greater challenges than families. High school youth in 1 cohort saw peers as greater challenges than did younger youth. Reported peer challenges and resources were modestly related to math pathways. Taken together, the studies illustrate the significance of peers as both resources and challenges to adolescents as they navigate the crucial years that will determine their college eligibility and career options.