Distant Dreams: How Do Age, Gender, Class and Ethnicity Shape Young People of Ecuadorian Background's Aspirations and Well-Being in Spain?

This paper studies how age, ethnicity, class and gender shape the opportunities and aspirations of young people of a migration background in Spain, by analysing their educational journeys and life trajectories. Different explanations for the low aspirations, high school attrition and occasional belonging to violent ethnic-based gangs are provided by analysing extracts from biographical interviews with young participants of Ecuadorian background and experts comprising teachers, mediators and juvenile detention centres directors.