Immigrant optimism in Ireland: Parental expectations of children’s educational attainment

This study investigates the differences in educational expectations between immigrant and native parents in Ireland, a context known for high tertiary attainment but with limited research on migration-related educational inequalities. Using longitudinal data from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study, we examine how parental expectations align with children's previous academic performance, focusing on families with diverse migration backgrounds. The analysis includes various socio-demographic factors, such as family socio-economic status and cognitive test scores at age 9. The results reveal generally high educational expectations among immigrant parents compared to their native counterparts, particularly those from Asian, Eastern European, and African origins. However, these immigrant parents' expectations often do not correspond with their children's actual academic performance, highlighting a "paradox of immigrant optimism." In contrast, native Irish parents and those from Western Europe exhibit more realistic expectations aligned with their children's cognitive abilities. Furthermore, the study shows that immigrant parents with higher education levels are more likely to have realistic expectations regarding their children’s educational prospects. These findings contribute to our understanding of educational inequalities and the factors influencing educational aspirations in a context of increasing cultural diversity. Future research should further explore the cultural and structural factors shaping these expectations.