Research objectives were to determine the extent to which ethnic variability existed in reference to male and female: occupational aspirations (type, level, and intensity); occupational expectations (type, level, and certainty); and anticipatory goal deflection. Data were derived from surveys of the following rural youth (high school sophomores) samples: (1) 170 male and 215 female Arizona Navajos (1972); (2) 98 male and 94 female East Texas blacks (1972); (3) 148 male and 158 female East Texas Anglos (1972); (4) 178 male and 201 female South Texas Mexican Americans (1973); (5) 15 male and 15 female South Texas Anglos (1973); Chi-square tests were used in each case to determine whether or not any ethnic differences observed were statistically significant. Significant results were: (1) Navajo youth had the lowest level of aspirations and the weakest intensity of desire; (2) Mexican Americans had the highest and strongest intensity of aspiration; (3) Mexican American females had the highest level of aspiration; (4) Mexican Americans had the highest level of status expectations, and Navajos had the lowest level; (5) Anglo expectations parelleled those of the Navajos, and Anglo females had the lowest expectation level; (6) Navajos and Anglos were markedly more certain about occupational expectations than black who were relatively uncertain. (JC)