Data from high school sophomores (n=6,935) indicated that females were more likely to expect high- and low-prestige occupations; males had more moderate expectations. Educational aspirations were the most important variable for those with stable high-prestige expectations. Undecided students were less likely to believe they would obtain…

Examined the relationship of gender to adolescents' educational and childbearing plans, interdependence of plans, and differential effects of gender and social context. Data from the High School and Beyond Sophomore Cohort Study indicated that girls, but not boys, expected the timing of childbearing to affect educational attainment. Educational…

Comparison of 15- and 16-year-old participants in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and 1997 indicated that racial/ethnic differences and the influence of family resources on expectations of a college degree declined over time. Girls became more likely to expect a degree, and family structure grew in importance over time. (Contains 50…

Using data from two ongoing longitudinal studies and prior research, examines the effect of parental attitudes on the perpetuation of gender stereotypes in choice of school subjects and careers. Because society does not yet reward female- and male-typed occupations equally, such stereotyping is often disadvantageous to girls. (DM)

The extent to which perceptions of present and future status vary as a function of sex and academic status in low-income Blacks was investigated. The results indicate that, regardless of academic status, males possess higher expectations than females. (Author/RLV)

Measured degree of career certainty, involvement in career planning, and level of academic aspiration of gifted students (n=161) several times. Found no main effects for sex; interaction of sex and age produced significant results. Girls were more certain than boys about their talents and career plans in elementary school but not in junior high…

Surveys educational and occupational expectations of students, grades 10 to 12, in four rural Ohio schools. Reports females show significantly higher educational and occupational aspirations than males. Areas of anticipated college study and occupational expectations are sex stereotypic; however, young rural women's occupational aspirations are…

A survey of 184 rural high school students found no differences in educational aspiration between males and females. Females expressed significantly higher occupational aspirations, in terms of jobs rated highly on the Total Socioeconomic Index 2. (SK)

Explored relationship among drug use, school performance, and academic aspiration among Anglo and Hispanic youths (n=446). Results indicated a significant relationship between current school performance, future educational aspirations, and drug use. Important differences in response patterns occurring with age, ethnicity, and gender were found.…

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of the Labor Market Experience of Youth, examined the aspirations and expectations of Americans aged 14-21 years regarding their education and future fertility. Found family background, social values, and sex role traditionality to be strong predictors of educational and fertility expectations. (GC)

The main objective of this study was to examine the assumption, widely accepted in previous studies, that as an individual becomes modern, he or she will increasingly view education as an important instrument for getting ahead economically. Ghana, India, and Brazil were included in the study. (Author/KC)

Rural girls, answering questions concerning educational and occupational aspirations, showed significantly higher educational aspiration, the same or higher occupational aspiration, and equal ranges of job choice, relative to boys. The results are discussed with respect to previous findings, and to status attainment models. (Author)

Mexican-American and European-American high school juniors and seniors (n=1,139) identified perceived barriers to their academic and career goals. Females anticipated more barriers than males, particularly sex discrimination. Mexican-Americans perceived more barriers than European-Americans, both sex and ethnic discrimination. (SK)

In a sample of 122 African-American college students, internalized racial identity, academic classification, and parents' educational attainment were significantly related to hope. Internalized racial identity was related to vocational identity for women, but not for men. (SK)

Examined the scope of influence exerted by occupational and educational significant others identified by 142 high school youth to determine the extent to which this influence is segmental. Data showed that the influence of most significant others was specific to either educational or occupational ambitions, suggesting that these are fairly…