Reviewing sociological theories relative to youth aspiration research, the following thesis was presented: "pre-path analysis aspiration research was characterized by a person-centered, middle-range functionalist approach which eventually shifted to a person-centered, functionalist-system approach with the introduction of the path model methodology". Specifically, the following orientations were examined: the quest for theory in aspiration research; pre-path analysis; post-path analysis; the conceptual conservatism of functional status; social stratification and status attainment research; some alternatives. It was suggested that the plethora of studies in sociology on youth aspirations and the corresponding studies of status attainment have implicitly embraced a structural-functional theoretical approach. Criticism associated with this theoretical framework was examined in terms of social stratification research, particularly the writings of Karl Marx and Max Weber which comprise the "domains" of stratification. An alternative direction for status attainment research was sketched in terms of integrating functional psychology within current functional systems of status attainment, leading to more parsimonious theoretical development. (JC)