Occupational Aspirations of Selected Appalachian Youth

Abstract

This study examines the concepts that Appalachian youth have concerning their probable life work. After comparing and contrasting these students with a group of native and Appalachian migrant students in an Ohio city, the following results were noted: (a) Appalachian youth who stay in the geographic area have a significantly lower aspirational level than do those students who are native to a rurban area; (b) the Appalachian youth have different personal role models and characteristics for success than those students who have migrated from the Appalachian area; (c) one of the major problems in raising the occupational aspirations of Appalachian students appears to be lack of information and opportunity rather than lack of ability.