THIS BULLETIN OUTLINES THE FACTORS WHICH HINDER RURAL YOUTH IN OBTAINING JOBS, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY MUST COMPETE WITH URBAN YOUTH FOR THE JOBS. FACTORS DISCUSSED INCLUDE OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATIONS, CULTURAL INFLUENCES, LEVEL OF EDUCATION, FINANCIAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE, INTELLIGENCE LEVEL, OCCUPATIONAL CHOICE, PERSONALITY, SELF-CONCEPT, AND SOCIAL…

The document tested the level of generalization of a recent conclusion from past research (see ED075156) on nonmetropolitan (NM) south and southwest Texas Mexican American teenagers: that these youths have predominantly high and strong status aspirations and expectations. Earlier findings on NM Mexican American youth supported Merton's thesis that…

As part of continuing research into how individuals decide what to do with their lives, ninth graders in a small town high school were surveyed in 1967 and 1979. Focusing on group differences, results of questions on future time perspectives, career possibilities, interactions with people, family cohesiveness, and autonomy are discussed. (BS)

Studied self concept, parental influence, socioeconomic status, certainty, race and sex in relation to career choice attitudes in 520 Black, White and Native American rural 10th graders. Results suggested the importance of racial differences in predicting career maturity. (JAC)