Black-White Variations in a Model of the Occupational Aspiration Process

Abstract

This paper attempts to expand the research in the general area of occupational choice by developing and analyzing a causal model of the occupational aspiration process for black and white rural youth. Specifically, this study addresses itself to the problem of establishing a causal model which relates socioeconomic status, academic performance and occupational aspirations in a manner consistent with the current theoretical and empirical literature. The model developed will then be analyzed separately for a sample of black and white high school seniors.