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…

A study comparing self-concepts, academic aspirations, and vocational maturity of ninth graders showed that adolescents whose parents understand them perceive themselves more favorably in parent-teenager relations and academic adequacy as well as with higher aspirations. (Author/KM)

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…

This study investigated the impact of behavioral and affective factors on 688 African American high school students' academic performance, examining the relationship between school engagement, educational expectations, self-esteem, and school achievement; noting differences between males and females; and discussing whether behavioral and affective…

Examines the joint effects of race, gender, social class, and family organization on a number of indicators of family interaction, anti-social behavior patterns, educational aspirations, and gender role concepts, using data collected from a random sample of the 14 to 18 year old population of Illinois. (Author/JM)

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.…

This paper reports research on the applicability of the Wisconsin Model of adolescent educational performance and aspirations in explaining development in a sample of 3028 students enrolled in grades 8-12 in 23 public schools in Mississippi. Main and interaction effects of race and sex were examined using questionnaire data gathered in 1972. The…

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)

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…

Based on the evidence and theory that sex-role differentiation increases in salience during those later high school years as students prepare for their imminent transition into young adulthood, it was anticipated that there would be a lower orientation toward achievement among grade 12 girls than grade 10 girls, and, possibly, the opposite for…

Combined data from Coleman's 1961 Adolescent Society survey and 15-year follow-up study of early status attainment of respondents. Found parents' effects on children's educational aspirations and attainments due to modeling and defining influences. Defining effects exceeded modeling effects in strength; proportion of parental influence due to…

Studied the relationship between academic motivation and occupational aspiration in 560 Nigerian secondary school students. Data from the Academic Motivation Questionnaire and the Employment Aspiration Questionnaire suggested that academic motivation and occupational aspiration seemed to complement each other. Both motivation and aspiration were…

Females had significantly higher attitude and competency scores on the Abbreviated Career Maturity Inventory, completed by 114 female and 187 male African-American high school students. Educational plans were consistent with occupational expectations; 90% females and 74% males preferred careers requiring degrees, and 89% females and 86% males…