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In a practical mood: Studying for a profession in the changing kibbutz

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Abstract

The influence of recent social and economicchanges in the Israeli kibbutz on the prolongedstage of youth was examined with respect tohigher education. The young people on thekibbutz of the late 1990s appear lessmoratorial and more instrumental about theirfuture and commence higher education earlierthan in previous age cohorts. When starting tostudy, their educational and professionalprospects are crystalized as those of thenon-kibbutz student. Most of them opt foracademic, degree-granting studies, but a higherpercentage than among the general populationprefer vocation-oriented colleges to theresearch oriented universities. In choosingfields of study, they prefer more appliedstudies like engineering, social services andpractical arts and are less likely to choosesciences and the humanities. De-communalizationand economic instability of the kibbutz,inadequate preparation in kibbutz high schoolsfor the competitive admission to theuniversities, exposure to a restricted range ofoccupations during adolescence, and lack of acultural tradition supportive of elitiststudies may explain this practical mood, moresalient among kibbutz women.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oranim Academic College of Education, Israel

    Arza Avrahami

  2. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

    Yechezkel Dar

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  1. Arza Avrahami
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  2. Yechezkel Dar
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Avrahami, A., Dar, Y. In a practical mood: Studying for a profession in the changing kibbutz. Higher Education 47, 51–71 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HIGH.0000009806.21684.8e

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HIGH.0000009806.21684.8e

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