Historical Change in Occupational Frames of Reference of Black and White Southern Youth: 1966-1972.

The scope of this paper covered preliminary analyses and findings on historical change in occupational aspirations, occupational expectations, and intensity and aspiration of black and white Southern youths from an East Texas rural high school. Comparisons were made by race and sex only to illuminate historical changes. Surveys of approximately 966 sophomores from 3 East Texas counties comprised the data base for surveys conducted in 1966 and 1972. Census data (1960-70) were examined to determine whether or not any significant historical changes had occurred in the socioeconomic makeup of the study counties. No significant historical change was observed in intensity of occupational aspiration among the respondents. Occupation remained in 1972, as in 1966, among the top 3 goals relative to the respondents, and was generally second after education, and followed by income. At both time periods occupation was evaluted only slightly higher by whites than blacks. Among black males the difference in magnitude between education and income narrowed as education decreased as the primary goal. (FF)