Brain Drain Problem Research Articles

Attitudes of Israeli Students toward Emigration

Attitudes of Israeli students toward emigration of academicians from Israel are examined in the context of Israel's brain-drain problem. Students are differentiated according to social position and their "individual" and "collective" value orientations. Of the four components of social position examined, only country of origin is significantly related to attitudes toward emigration. Students of Afro-Asian origin tend to express somewhat more favorable attitudes toward emigration than other students. Of the "individual" value orientations examined (status aspirations, ambition and occupational choice), only occupational choice is significantly related to attitudes toward emigration. Future scientists tend to express somewhat more favorable attitudes toward emigration than other students. All "collective" value orientations examined (Israeli identification, Jewish identification, and sense of affinity with Jews abroad) are negatively related to approval of emigration. These relationships are more pronounced than any in the individual area. The tentative conclusion is that Israeli students view the problem of emigration from Israel chiefly in terms of national values and ideals, rather than of individual life prospects.