EDUCATIONAL
ASPIRATIONS
Trusty, Jerry and Richard E. Watts. 1999. “Relationship of High School Seniors' Religious Perceptions and Behavior to Educational, Career, and Leisure Variables.” Counseling and Values vol. 44, pp. 30-39.
Abstract: This study used
data from a national sample of 12,992 US high school seniors to investigate the
relationship of religious perceptions and behavior to several school, career,
and leisure variables. Seniors' positive perceptions of religion and frequent attendance
at religious services were related to positive parental involvement, positive
school attitudes and behaviors, and infrequent problem behaviors. Parental
involvement mediated the effects of religious perceptions and behavior on
adolescents, academic attitudes and drug use. However, a large portion of the
effects of religious perceptions and behavior was independent of parental
involvement. Implications for counselors and educators are provided. [Source: PI]
Jagers, Robert J., Paula Smith, Lynne Owens Mock, and Ebony Dill. 1997. “An Afrocultural Social Ethos: Component Orientations and Some Social Implications.” Journal of Black Psychology vol. 23, pp. 328-343.
Abstract: Discusses the results
of two studies exploring the component orientations of spirituality, affect,
& communalism in an Afrocultural social ethos & their connections with
pyschosocial functioning in inner-city African American youth. In both studies,
positive endorsement & moderate positive correlations among the
orientations are expressed. Study 1 questionnaire data (N = 84 students in
grades 5-6) indicate that an Afrocultural social ethos is predictive of more
cooperative & competitive academic attitudes & lower levels of
Machiavellianism. Spirituality emerges as a positive predictor of two academic
attitudes. Study 2 questionnaire data (N = 77 students in grades 6-7) indicate
that an Afrocultural ethos is predictive of empathy & a more altruistic
view of human nature. At the level of orientations, affect is a unique
predictor of these variables. Gender, rather than cultural ethos or
orientations, is predictive of peer-rated prosocial behaviors. Discussion
focuses on implications for future research on culture & the social
development of African American youth.
[Source: SA]
Macbeth, David Michael. 1997. “Risk Factors Associated with Early Adolescent Sexual Values and Behaviors.” PHD Thesis, Utah State University.
Abstract: Adolescent sexual
activity and subsequent pregnancy are an increasing dilemma facing American
society. There appears to be an increase in the incidence of casual sexual
activity among adolescents that leads to over 50% of students between grades 9
and 12 having been involved in sexual intercourse. This study examines changes
in adolescent sexual attitudes, behaviors, and values in a select population
over a 2-year time span. A survey of 548 families with adolescents was used to
determine the impact of the Facts and Feelings home-based sexual abstinence
program on mean scores for academic aspirations, academic achievement, sexual
knowledge, the intention to have intercourse, sexual behavior, religiosity,
mother approachability, father approachability, frequency of parental
communication, sexual abstinence skills, friends', approval of premarital sex,
value against sex prior to marriage, risk of contracting a sexually transmitted
disease, sex being acceptable in relationships, adolescent's values match
parent's values, parents approve of premarital sex, and adolescent's rating of
physical maturity. The sample was randomly split into equal size experimental
and control groups. The treatment materials were given to the experimental
group following a baseline measurement, and the control group received the materials
after the study was completed 2 years later. Data were collected at four time
intervals: pretest, 3-month posttest, 1-year posttest, and 2-year posttest.
Dependent variables were identified from previous research as possible
antecedents to early sexual activity. The youth studied were in the sixth and
seventh grades, and were generally sexually abstinent throughout the study.
Hypotheses were related to gender, group membership, and the interaction of
these variables over time. A majority of the significant findings came in the
hypotheses regarding gender. There were limited findings in the hypothesis that
dealt with group membership, group membership by gender, and the interaction
effects of gender by group over time. Most of the treatment effects were time
limited and not maintained for long periods of time following the treatment.
There was evidence that the Facts and Feeling materials used in the study were
beneficial in changing behavior, values, and attitudes regarding teenage
abstinence for a short time immediately following the treatment period. [Source: PI]
Hay, Steven D. 1995. “Maternal Employment, Parent-Adolescent Closeness and Adolescent Competence.” Ph.d. Thesis, Brigham Young University.
Abstract: This study
examined the relationships between maternal employment, adolescent employment,
extracurricular activities, and closeness between parents and adolescents among
a sample of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A
related focus was the relationship between parent-adolescent closeness and
adolescent competency as represented by educational aspirations, self-esteem,
and juvenile delinquency. It was found that maternal employment was not
significantly related to parent-adolescent closeness. The strongest variable predicting
LDS adolescents' closeness to their parents was the adolescents' perception of
their parents marital quality. Parent-adolescent closeness was significantly
related to girls' self-esteem, and negatively related to adolescent juvenile
delinquency for both boys and girls. Maternal employment was positively related
to victimless delinquency for both boys and girls. Close parent-adolescent
relationships promote adolescent social competence. [Source: DA]
Kelly, Phillip S. 1995. “Designing a Vocational Guidance Program to Assist High School Students of the Wildwood Baptist Church, Kennesaw, Georgia.” Thesis, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Abstract: The purpose of
this project was to assist selected high school students in making career
choices. Twenty-four students were randomly selected to participate in a
ten-week course in vocational guidance. The participants were controlled for
gender, age, and educational level. The program equipped students to understand
the relationship between God's will and decision making, and to recognize God's
vocational will for their lives. The program included the historical,
descriptive survey, and experimental methods of research. Evaluation of the
project was derived from a pretest-posttest situation, a case study, an exit
questionnaire, and critical specialist observation. [Source: RI]
Maxwell, Mary Percival and James D. Maxwell. 1994. “Three Decades of Private School Females' Ambitions: Implications for Canadian Elites.” Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology vol. 31, pp. 139-167.
Abstract: Studied whether
the educational and occupational aspirations and expectations of students at 2
of Canada's elite girls' schools, 1 Catholic and 1 Protestant, would change
over time (1966-1986). Over the 20-yr period, the differential impact of
religion declined and significantly more students expected to be employed
throughout the life course. Furthermore, by 1986 career was given as the major
source of life satisfaction by over 80% of the respondents. The implications of
these trends for elite recruitment and the social reproduction of the elite and
the dominant class are analyzed. (French abstract) [Source: PI]
Plotnick, Robert D. 1992. “The Effects of Attitudes on Teenage Premarital Pregnancy and Its Resolution.” American Sociological Review vol. 57, pp. 800-811.
Abstract: Drawing on problem
behavior theory and complementary models of behavior, the influence of
attitudes and related personality variables on the probability of teenage
premarital pregnancy, abortion, having an out-of-wedlock birth, or marrying
before the birth were examined. 1,142 non-Hispanic White adolescents, drawn
from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, were analyzed using the nested
logit method. The estimates show that self-esteem, locus of control, attitudes
toward women's family roles, attitudes toward school, educational aspirations,
and religiosity were associated with premarital pregnancy and its resolution in
directions predicted by theory. The effects of self-esteem, attitudes toward
school, attitudes toward women's family roles, and educational expectations
were substantively important. [Source:
PI]
Lamanna, Mary Ann. 1991. “Teenagers' Decision-Making About Sexuality and Reproduction: Policy Implications.” Paper presented at American Sociological Association (ASA), 1991.
Abstract: Data from 225
focus group participants & semistructured interviews with 64 teenage women
(white/black; ever-pregnant vs never-pregnant) provide information on teen
women's sexual & reproductive decision making in a midwestern US city.
Typical decision sequences are identifiable. Young women in the pair bonding
model make an early commitment to family-building, in an often fictive
"ritual marriage." In the development model, teens are highly committed
to educational & career goals, more attentive to the need for
contraception, & more open to abortion or adoption as possible solutions to
problem pregnancies; goals & aspirations regarding future relationships
& marriage are vague, & paradoxically, their rational & detached
approach to gaining sexual experiences leads to activity that seems emotionally
undesired, yet entails the risk of pregnancy. Results are compared to the
premises of contemporary teen pregnancy policy in such areas as: religious proscriptions,
family relationships, & sexual activity; life goals & self-esteem; peer
culture; sex education; mentoring programs; school retention programs; role
playing; contraceptive programs; adoption, or abortion as solutions to problem
pregnancies; & job training & career development. [Source: SA]
Luck, Mary Ann. 1991. “Factors That Influence Black High School Graduates to Go to College.” Ed.D. Thesis, University of Southern California.
Abstract: Problem. A
declining percentage of black high school graduates is going to college. If
they do not gain access to higher education, their prospects for economic
success and personal growth, as well as the economic and social health of
America, are jeopardized. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to ascertain
the stated reasons of black high school graduates for going to college. The
emphasis was on discovering factors that encourage college enrollment.
Methodology. Thirty black graduates of a California high school were
interviewed. Fifteen were college-goers; 15 were not. They were asked about
family, schooling, friends, activities, and personal beliefs about the benefits
of a college education for them. To analyze responses, a frequency count and a
chi square test for association were done. Similarities and differences between
the two groups were identified. Findings. Factors that associated with college
attendance included: parents who had attended college and who believed
education was very important, encouragement by high school counselors, taking
the Scholastic Aptitude Test, participation in extracurricular activities, and
deciding early to attend college. Factors that did not associate included:
number of parents and siblings in the home, encouragement by family to attend
college, parents' income, parents' expectations about grades, number of schools
attended, study time, athletics, the racial make-up and attitudes of close
friends, being active in church, and the armed services. Conclusions. These
subjects and their families valued higher education and believed blacks benefit
from it. Most planned to earn bachelor's and master's degrees. Parents
expressed high expectations but did not enforce them. Parents provided little
information about college. Subjects were influenced by educators, particularly
high school counselors. Recommendations. (1) Begin elementary school counseling
for students and parents about the value of a college education for them. (2)
Encourage school counselors to discuss the college option with all students and
to allow students to prove they are capable. (3) Establish a school club to
encourage students to consider college. (4) Tutor at-risk students. (5) Teach
study skills to students. (6) Affirm the black student's belief that he or she
can be successful in this society. (7) Research further the perceptions and
beliefs of black students. (8) Research further the impact of family
encouragement on college attendance.
[Source: DA]
Wiese, Michael D. and Barbara K. Townsend. 1991. “College Choice in the Church-Affiliated Sector of Higher Education: The Influence of Congregational Cultural Orientation.” Research in Higher Education vol. 32, pp. 107-122.
Abstract: The relationship
between cultural orientation & college choice is investigated, using questionnaire
data from a systematic random sample of 276 lay leaders in participative
congregations (reflecting a high % of college-bound youth choosing to attend
the denominational university) & 403 lay leaders in nonparticipative
congregations (having a very low % of such youth) affiliated with a Midwest
institution. The local-cosmopolitan dichotomy used by previous researchers is
applied to test the hypothesis that the cultural orientation of local
congregational leaders reflects norms that are aligned to congregational
enrollment support or nonsupport for the denominational university. The results
demonstrate that the use of the local-cosmopolitan construct offers a plausible
means to assess how cultural forces can influence college choice for students likely
to attend church-affiliated institutions. It is concluded that the potential of
cultural analysis in understanding the inquiry stage of the college-choice
model is worthy of further exploration.
[Source: SA]
Hill, Jean Louise. 1990. “Toward an Understanding of Teenage Sexual Behavior: An Analysis of Two Theoretical Models.” Ph.d. Thesis, Depaul University.
Abstract: The study
evaluated the effectiveness of two theoretical models of adolescent sexual
behavior. Model One focuses on the effect of perceived responsibility for birth
control use on birth control use and the variables which contribute to
perceived responsibility. The outcome variables are age of first intercourse
and birth control use. The independent variables are locus of control and knowledge
of birth control. Three variables, perceived responsibility for birth control
use, perceived probability of pregnancy, and level of communication with
partner, play mediating roles in the model. Model One was hypothesized to be
more applicable to male adolescents than to females. Model Two examines the
direct and indirect influence of variables related to a teen's willingness to
have a baby. The outcome variables are age of first intercourse and birth
control use. The independent variables are locus of control, perceived costs of
a teen pregnancy, perceived family support for a teen pregnancy, the number of
role models who were teen parents, educational goals, and level of religiosity.
Hopelessness and willingness to consider having a child as a teenager play
mediating roles in the model. Model Two was hypothesized to be more applicable
to females than to males. The study involved 149 male and 107 female,
predominantly African American, students at an inner city high school.
Approximately half of the female participants and the majority of the males
reported being sexually active. Path analyses were performed. The results
indicate significant differences between male and female participants. Model
One was shown to be an adequate description of the sexual behavior of male
participants, but was only marginally descriptive of females. Model Two was not
applicable to males and only marginally applicable to females. Possible methods
of improving the fit of the models include improving the measures used, dropping
some variables from the models or adding others, and treating some variables as
latent or unobserved. The results point out the importance of treating male and
female sexual behavior as separate phenomena, and designing appropriate
prevention programs for each. In addition, the results indicate the usefulness
of developing and testing theoretical, predictive models. [Source: DA]
Daly, Doris L. 1989. “The Relationship between High School Class, Grades, Extracurricular Activities and Adolescent Concerns.” Ph.d. Thesis, Temple University.
Abstract: This research was
conducted to increase knowledge of a population of adolescents by means of an
assessment of their concerns. Research has demonstrated that environmental conditions
impact on adolescent concerns, and therefore, a local survey provides knowledge
relevant to each population. In addition to a survey of concerns, demographic
variables--grade level, grade point average and participation in
extracurricular activities were included to determine the mediating role of
each variable on adolescent concerns. To add knowledge to the contemporary
complex problems of adolescent suicide, alcoholism, and drug abuse, an analysis
of specific items relating to these problems were included in this study.
Comparative studies to determine if concerns are mediated by community
differences and by time (zeitgeist) were also conducted. To assess concerns,
the Mooney Problem Check List (MPCL) (Mooney & Gordon, 1950) was used. This
instrument contains 330 items of concerns grouped into 11 distinct categories.
A new category, "Drugs and Alcohol," was added by the researcher and
contained 30 items relating to drug and alcohol concerns. The sample consisted
of 356 students (grades 9-12) who attended a private male college-preparatory
high school. These students responded to the MPCL, the new category, and a
questionnaire including the demographic information. The data was analyzed by
means of descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed the top three
ranking categories of concerns in this population were: "Adjustment to
School Work," "Social/Psychological Relations," and "Morals
and Religion." Multivariate discriminant analyses revealed groups
differentiated by each demographic variable--grade level, grade point average,
and participation in extracurricular activities were significantly different,
with the exception of 11th and 12th grade groups. The tenth grade, low grade
point average, and "no" activity groups had higher levels of total
concerns with academic concerns the major category. In addition, t tests
revealed respondents to each of the suicide, alcohol, and drug items of concern
showed significantly higher levels of concerns in the majority of categories in
comparison to nonrespondents. Finally, comparisons with earlier research
demonstrated that students in this current study (1987) responded to a higher
level of total concerns. [Source: DA]
Pejovic, Zoran. 1989. “Boulevard of Dreams: Croatians and Education in Ontario.” Ph.d. Thesis, York University (Canada).
Abstract: This study
examined the effects of a select number of variables associated with
educational aspirations. We discovered the effects that such variables as,
"Socio-Economic Origin", "Gender", "Religious
Origin", "Regional Origin", "Peer Influence",
"Parental Influence", "Self-Concept", "Perception of
Opportunity", had on the formation of educational aspirations among
Croatian High School students in Toronto and vicinity. The sample consisted of
127 subjects of Croatian origin. As it was difficult to arrive at a random
sample, the author relied on a purposive sample. A number of voluntary Croatian
Youth Organizations, including Croatian students attending Croatian Heritage
Language classes. Church Youth Groups, and Croatian Folklore and Tambouritza
Ensembles were approached. As such, the sample may not necessarily
representative of the Croatian High School students in general, however, they
could be characterized as Croato-centric, that is, a group of strong culturally-bound
Croatian youth. This study is a cross-sectional survey. The statistical
procedures employed were Cross-Tabular analysis and Regression analysis. The
author found that Croatian High School students have extremely high
aspirations. Most compellingly, it was observed that "Socio-Economic
Origin" variables (father's occupation, father's education, mother's
education, mother's occupation and gender) did not have an impact on
educational aspiration-formation among Croatian adolescents. This finding was
incongruous to a number of Canadian and American studies. Consequently, in
analyzing the impact of psycho- demographic variables, it was once again
observed that, on the whole, Croatian adolescents were attracted to university
education in overwhelming numbers. The author strongly believes that for
Croatians, culture and ethnic identity influenced this, as well as the major
findings of the present study. The implications of this study are that if
ethnic children, in general, and Croatians, in particular, show an interest in
post-secondary education, then the educational decision makers (teachers,
guidance counsellors) should be sensitive to ethno-cultural differences, and
work towards optimising every child's educational potential. The author
concludes that there are numerous obstacles to university access. If the
reasons for these obstacles disfavours ethnically or economically disadvantaged
groups, then any notion of equalized access will become nothing more than an
educational dream. [Source: DA]
Skolnick, Vivian B. 1989. “Occupational Choices of Daughters of Practicing Rabbis.” Journal of Religion and Health vol. 28, pp. 128-142.
Valentino, Lorene. 1989. “Teenage Pregnancy from the Perspective of Three Groups of Low Income Teenage Girls.” Ed.d. Thesis, University of Southern California.
Abstract: Purpose. The
primary purposes of the study were to determine and to analyze the perceptions
of three groups of teenagers (pregnant girls, girls using birth controls, and
girls never pregnant and do not use birth controls) regarding (1) sex education
in the schools; (2) their locii of control; and (3) their personal and
professional goals. A secondary purpose of the study was to compare the three
groups of teenage girls on the basis of selected personal and professional
characteristics. Procedure. A 40-item questionnaire-survey was utilized to
survey 548 teenage girls enrolled in a summer work program for economically
disadvantaged youth in Central California. The descriptive study used a
Likert-type weighted scale to analyze and compare mean responses to survey
questions. Findings. Most of the girls in all three groups received at least
one quarter of sex education in the schools. Girls using birth controls
reported receiving information about contraceptives in education classes at an
earlier grade level than the other two groups. The birth control group of girls
had the highest internal locii of control and also had a significantly higher
reported use of birth controls than the pregnant girls who had the highest
external locii of control. The group of girls who had experienced a pregnancy
were one grade level behind girls in the other two groups. Girls who abstain
from sex more often come from two parent families and attend church more
frequently than girls in either of the other two groups. Conclusions.
Instruction and activities which teach self- esteem, decision making, and
assertiveness are effective methods to increase contraceptive use among
sexually active teenage girls. Family stability and participation in religious
activities make positive contributions to abstinence of sexual relations for
teenage girls. Recommendations. Sex education is a highly controversial issue
and educators should develop a program representative of differing viewpoints
but still appropriate for teenagers. Information regarding contraceptives
should be taught at a lower grade level than is current practice and curriculum
should include self-esteem/assertiveness training activities. [Source: DA]
Tucker, Larry A. 1987. “Television, Teenagers, and Health.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence vol. 16, pp. 415-425.
Abstract: The effect of TV
viewing on adolescents' health-related attitudes & practices & physical
fitness level is investigated using data from questionnaires containing multiple
assessment instruments completed by 406 white, Mc, high school Ms. Multiple
discriminant analysis reveals that high levels of TV watching are significantly
associated with poorer physical & emotional health, increased drug &
alcohol use, & decreased church attendance, exercise, self-control,
self-confidence, & Coll aspirations. Though the directionality of causality
cannot be assumed, it is argued that since TV viewing is a passive pastime, the
media has great power to shape attitudes & behaviors. At present, its
messages largely promote antisocial norms & unhealthy lifestyles.
Suggestions are proposed to help health professionals & other specialists
develop & promote more healthy, constructive uses of TV. [Source: SA]
Valez, William. 1985. “Finishing College: The Effects of College Type.” Sociology of Education vol. 58, pp. 191-200.
Abstract: Used multivariate
analysis to determine the odds that high school seniors would earn a bachelor's
degree. Data on 3,169 students (84% White) were obtained from the National
Longitudinal Survey of the High School Class of 1972 (National Center for
Education Statistics, 1980). Ss who started in 2-yr colleges were less likely
to finish than Ss who started in 4-yr colleges. However, other variables such
as religious background (i.e., being Jewish); educational aspirations; academic
performance in college; participation in a work-study program; and living on
campus exerted substantial positive effects on finishing. Non-White Ss with low
educational aspirations were more likely to finish college than similar White
Ss, but White Ss with high aspirations were more likely to finish than
comparable non-White Ss. [Source: PI]
Ireson, Carol J. 1984. “Adolescent Pregnancy and Sex Roles.” Sex Roles vol. 11, pp. 189-201.
Abstract: An examination of
the relationship between traditional sex roles & adolescent pregnancy.
Sex-role orientation & related variables were measured by a multiple-choice
questionnaire administered to 161 Fs aged 13-18 when they sought pregnancy
tests or birth control information at one of several clinics. The hypothesis
that adolescents who get pregnant are more likely than other sexually active
young women to be traditional in sex-role orientation receives some support
from the findings. Pregnant adolescents, in comparison with those seeking birth
control, perceive themselves to be competent in more highly sex-typed
activities, have lower aspirations & school grades, & have less sense
of personal control over events in their lives. Pregnant teens do not seem to
differ much in sex-role values from those seeking birth control, & seem
less likely to aspire to traditionally F occupations. SES is the strongest
discriminator between pregnant & birth control seeking teens, with the
former having lower SES. Pregnant adolescents, in comparison with those
experiencing negative pregnancy tests, are younger & more likely to rely on
God to determine the course of their personal lives. [Source: SA]
Morgan, William R. 1983. “Learning and Student Life Quality of Public and Private School Youth.” Sociology of Education vol. 56, pp. 187-202.
Abstract: Conclusions from
the 1981 public-private schooling report of Coleman, Hoffer and Kilgore are for
the most part unsupported by data from the
National
Longitudinal Surveys of Youth Labor Market Behavior. With the exception of a
slight gain in verbal achievement for Hispanics in
private
schools, and a slight gain in vocational achievement for white students in
public schools, the sectors do not differ in the amount of
learning
produced, once the appropriate background and curriculum controls are
introduced. Attending Catholic school does slightly raise
expected
educational attainments. Consistent sector differences do appear in the rated
quality of student life--instructional quality, discipline,
safety,
and peer relations are rated higher in private schools, while learning freedom
and job counseling opportunities are rated higher in public
schools.
The discussion emphasizes the crucial difference between learning and quality of
student life as criteria for making policy
recommendations. [Source: JS]
Brinkerhoff, Merlin B. 1978. “Religion and Goal Orientations: Does Denomination Make a Difference?” Sociological Analysis vol. 39, pp. 203-218.
Abstract: The Mormon Church,
considered to be characteristic of Weber's Protestant Ethic type, has been
employed in a "quasi" case analysis to investigate the influence of
religion on educational and occupational goals. In the initial analysis of data from 2,179 adolescents, no support
was found; however, through the process
of elaboration, the evidence indicated that sex roles and family size combine
with religious denomination and involvement to influence goals. Multivariate analyses suggested that the
Mormons' beliefs relative to women's roles increased the relationship between
gender and goals, while their belief in large families decreased the effect of
family size on goals. Both religious involvement and denomination influence
goals, but the relationships are complex as they combine with other
factors. [Source: RI]
Hunt, Larry L. and Janet G. Hunt. 1975. “A Religious Factor in Secular Achievement among Blacks: The Case of Catholicism.” Social Forces vol. 53, pp. 595-605.
Abstract: Studied the
relationship between religious affiliation and secular achievement among
Blacks. Examining a sample of 412 urban Black adolescents, Protestant-Catholic
differences in attitudes toward achievement and Black identity were examined.
Results indicate a distinctive secular orientation among Black Catholics,
combining higher educational and occupational aspirations and an attenuation of
Black identity. This pattern was absent in the lower class but present in the
working and middle classes and was most apparent when the strength of religious
identification was high. Findings suggest that Catholicism may be consequential
for status maintenance and moderate mobility among Blacks. Whether this
interplay can be understood as the effect of a "religious factor" is
also considered. [Source: PI]
Brackbill, Yvonne and Embry Howell. 1974. “Religious Differences in Family Size Preference among American Teenagers.” Sociological Analysis vol. 35, pp. 35-44.
Abstract: A presentation of
a study analyzing differences between Catholic & non-Catholic young people
in att's toward fam formation. A sample of 941 students in junior HSch's,
HSch's, & Coll's in the Washington, DC area responded to a self-admin'ed
questionnaire in 1971. Data were obtained on students' background, att's toward
fam formation, girls' career aspirations, & pop awareness. In general,
results emphasize & reemphasize the continuing importance of a religious
diff'ial in fam size preference. Religious affiliation was far more predictive
of preferred fam size than was race, sex, age, SES, number of siblings, type of
Sch, maternal work history, or girls' career aspirations. These results differ
from those obtained in recent studies based on short term trends in religious
conformity but are consistent with longer term trends. [Source: SA]
Light, Harriett K. 1970. “Attitudes of Rural and Urban Adolescent Girls toward Selected Concepts.” Family Coordinator vol. 19, pp. 225-227.
Abstract: Examined the
attitudes of 164 rural and 161 urban adolescent girls toward family, religion,
peer groups, premarital sex, ethnic prejudice, morality, and education. Ss were
matched on age (16-17 yr. old), grade in high school (juniors-seniors) and
socioeconomic status (middle class). Each S was given a questionnaire
consisting of 45 statements with 5 choices for responding to each. Data were
analyzed using chi-square. Results show highly significant differences between
rural/urban girls toward family, religion, morality, premarital sex, and
education: (a) family and religion are more likely to influence attitudes of rural
than urban girls; (b) rural girls continue to accept conventional ethical
standards, urban girls are more receptive to new morality; and (c) rural girls
place greater value on education than do urban girls. [Source: PI]
Rhodes, Lewis and Charles B. Nam. 1970. “The Religious Context of Educational Expectations.” American Sociological Review vol. 35, pp. 253-267.
Abstract: The educational
plans of a national sample of white teen-age subjects are found to be
associated with religious identification of the subjects'
mothers
and the religious composition of the schools the subjects attend. Teenagers
with Jewish mothers are most likely to plan to attend
college;
those connected with the largest Protestant denominations (except Baptists) and
the Roman Catholic Church are next most likely to
plan
for college. Teenagers whose mothers identify with many of the smaller
Protestant denominations or sects or with the Baptist churches are
least
likely to plan for college. Roman Catholics attending Catholic schools are more
likely to plan for college than Catholics in public schools,
even
where the latter have a majority of Catholic students. Protestants attending
predominantly Protestant schools are less likely to have college
plans
than Protestants attending schools in which the student body is less than half
Protestant. Jewish subjects in predominantly Jewish schools
are
more likely to plan for college than those attending other schools. The
differences in college plans by religion of mother and religious
composition
of school persist when occupation of household head, subject's intelligence
test score, his mother's educational attainment, and
family
income are taken into account in the analysis. The results of this study are
consistent with a theory that the values imparted by some
religious
denominations are more supportive of high levels of educational aspiration than
those imparted by other denominations. However, the
data
presented in this paper are insufficient to specify the processes through which
a particular religion produces high or low levels of
educational ambition. [Source: JS]
Harrison, Edward Nelson. 1966. “Dropout Study with Respect to Baptist Church Schools and Youth Groups in New Jersey.” Ed.d. Thesis, Temple University.
Christiansen, John R., John W. Payne, and Kenneth J. Brown. 1963. “Church Participation and College Desires of Rural Youth in Utah.” Rural Sociology vol. 28, pp. 176-185.
Abstract: Attendance at
Mormon religious organizations by rural adolescents is positively associated
with their desires to attend college.
[Source: PI]
Goetz, Wilma. 1962. “Occupational Aspirations of the Male Students in a Slected High School.” American Catholic Sociological Review vol. 23, pp. 338-349.