This article concentrates on the transition from comprehensive school to the upper secondary level from the viewpoint of migrant background girls. Emphasis is on understanding the "bounded agency" and the ways in which gender and family background are expressed in the modalities of the agency. Previous studies show that ethnic minorities…

Survey responses from 217 (62%) Finnish polytechnic students indicated that they made choices according to family background. Mothers' education was related to their interest in continuing studies; fathers' education was related to the status of their intended educational choice. (SK)