Studying anthropology: a way to act in a complex reality

Abstract

In this work I want to demonstrate why young yucatecos took the decision to studying Social Anthropology even though, as many of them say, it does not have a very good reputation. The prevailing stereotype among anthropology students in the society is that they are hippies and rebels, so in most cases the parents have had to resign to their children’s decision of studying this career. In the first part of this work I try to locate the bachelors degree in Social Anthropology in Yucatan’s context, showing the educative options in the state and the existing options when there is an interest in a social discipline. Then, I exhibit the analysis of the collected material, through life stories and interviews, about the motivations of the young people who were admitted in September 2007 to the bachelors of Social Anthropology in the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Finally, I present an invitation to reflect on what wethe professors transmit to our students during their professional formation.