Stability and Change in Educational, Occupational and Residential Aspirations of Rural Youth

• In Event: 3581 - Section on Sociology of Children and Youth Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 03. Children, Youth and Stratification Processes

Abstract

Previous research has examined the educational, occupational and residential aspirations of rural youth, where each is treated separately as an outcome, and sometimes with one aspiration as predictors of others.Few studies have focused on change in these aspirations over time, in particular in rural context. This research uses Latent Transition Analysis to examine the extent of change in the aspirations of youth over time and to identify key factors linked to these changes. Specifically, this study uses panel data from the Rural Youth Education Study to (1) describe the predominant patterns of change in educational, occupational and residential aspirations from 7th to 9th to 11th grade, (2) assess the order of change in aspirations. When the latent statuses of the youth were examined based on their 7th grade aspirations and considerations for the future, four categories emerged. The final LTA resulted four latent status: the “achievers” are the youths who aspire higher educational levels, prestigious jobs and do not aspire to live in rural PA; the “stayers” are the youth who aspire to live in rural PA, do not aspire college-level education and managerial jobs. Two other group of youths have mixed aspirations: one group feel that they will need to leave for their jobs or education, but do not express aspirations to obtain a college degree or hold a managerial or professional job. The other group of youths aspire to a college degree, managerial or professional occupation, and want to live in rural Pennsylvania when they grow up. They do not feel that they need to move to achieve their educational or professional goals, and feel quite certain about their future plan. The aspiration status were quite stable, but we also find substantial between-status change over time.

Authors

• Donghui Wang, Pennsylvania State University

• Annelise Hagedorn

• Diane K. McLaughlin, Pennsylvania State University