Key Factors that Influence School Dropouts Amongst Adolescents in Marginalized Urban Areas of Mexico

Abstract

ABSTRACT Students dropping out of school in Mexico is a social problem at the national level as the number of children and young students who decide to abandon their academic preparation is increasing. The present investigation focused on a population segment of young people of low socioeconomic status residing in highly marginalized urban areas in Mexico City. These young people are in the upper secondary educational level of the public school system, in an age range greater than 15 years old. This research was carried out using a qualitative method to identify the different environments and variables that lead in the thought process to take the decision to interrupt study and/or drop out of school. The Social Cognitive Theory framed the development of this work in order to know the individual, social and environmental factors that trigger the social problem. The present study outlines guidelines for a social marketing program in order to generate social change and contribute to reducing the social problem.