In this longitudinal study of rural adolescent males (Negro and white), 3 hypotheses were tested: (1) that occupational and educational aspirations of these youth will either be stable at a low level or change downward from higher levels over time, (2) that Negro youth will experience significantly more downward deflection of status projections…

According to Hyman's theory concerning the value systems of different classes, Negroes and whites are not likely to place similar emphasis upon economic success; other writers have indicated that the racial identity of the Negro limits his aspirations for job placement and opportunity. This 1966 study sttempts to measure the job opportunity…

This report focused on the goal of investigating, within a path analytic framework, the stability and interplay of two occupational status projection variables in a Texas sample. More specifically, the dynamics of occupational aspirations and occupational expectations, observed in a three-wave rural youth panel, were analyzed using the…

The changes in residence projections (statements of behavior, attitudes, or beliefs about future residence status) of rural East Texas high school sophomores between 1966 and 1972 were examined. Focus was on general trends over the time span as well as those specific to race, sex, and respondent's residence. The analysis involved an…

Utilizing data collected from high school sophomores in 1972 and 1973, the study investigated the religious behavior and orientations of rural Black, White, and Mexican American youth in reference to religious affiliation, church participation, religious self-image (perceptions by peers), religious identification as an impediment to social…

The specific objective was to study racial differences in the consistency dimension of desired status objects (aspirational frame of reference) and expected objects (anticipated frame of reference) of adolescent males from the rural South. Specific observations were made on (1) racial differences in consistency of aspirational frames of reference…

Drug abuse and the differences in drug use patterns and related behavior between rural blacks and whites were examined. Questionnaires were administered to 993 (369 black and 624 white) rural adolescents in grades 7-12 in randomly selected schools in Texas. The instrument totaled 15 pages containing 65 items which yielded 178 quantifiable…

To determine what effect marriage deferment might have on the ability of both sexes to achieve higher educational levels and, therefore, possibly higher occupational status, the study examined socioeconomic status, attitudes toward future educational and occupational attainments, actual educational and occupational attainments, and desired…

The paper described and compared the attitudes that teenage boys and girls hold of marriage and procreation. Sex comparison was emphasized, because the process of change and its concomitant value and role confusion may be producing conflicting orientations toward future familial roles and spouses' expected roles. Specifically, the study focused on…

A summary of the 1966-1979 Southern Youth Study (SYS), a 4-wave longitudinal research project intended to produce information on career development and decision-making processes and influences of rural southern youth from economically-disadvantaged counties, presents data collection procedures, an overview of instruments and variables,…