Family and Cultural Factors of School-University Transfer in Uzbekistan

The work is devoted to the analysis of the influence of family and cultural factors on the choice of educational trajectory in the context of the transition from school to university in Uzbekistan. The study is relevant for understanding the socio-economic development of the country, since education is a key aspect of long-term economic growth. The work analyzed factors such as the level of education of parents, their involvement in the educational process of children, the socio-economic status of the family, as well as gender aspects affecting access to education. Special attention is paid to the cultural characteristics of Central Asia, such as early marriage and gender inequality, which can serve as both barriers and incentives for higher education. The empirical base of the study included 70 in-depth semi-structured interviews with young people aged 20 to 30 years old who were born and received full secondary education in Uzbekistan. As well as respondents aged 35 to 50 years old who have a child over the age of 18 and have completed secondary education in Uzbekistan. The results of the empirical study made it possible to simultaneously conduct a deeper and broader analysis of the factors influencing the choice and change of educational strategies for students in the context of the transition from school to higher education. Based on the interview data, the main family and cultural factors significantly influence the choice of students' educational strategy, especially through parental expectations and gender roles. Parents with higher education strive to provide the same education for their children, while cultural expectations often set barriers for girls, such as early marriage or household responsibilities, thereby delaying or canceling their educational plans. The study reveals cultural characteristics, such as gender norms, that encourage men to pursue higher education and at the same time create barriers for women. Keywords: family factors, cultural factors, educational trajectory, Uzbekistan, higher education, gender inequality, socio-economic status, motivation, early marriages, parental influence