Patterns of Early Adult Status Attainment and Attitudes in the Nonmetropolitan South

Utilizing data from a study of Southern, nonmetropolitan youth, this paper reports the patterns of congruency and deflection in occupational and educational attitudes and attainment. Descriptive comparisons of status aspiration, expectations and attainment were made for 427 white and 268 black males from six Deep South states. Aspirations and expectation levels for future occupational and educational attainment were apparently "unrealistic" in terms of available opportunities and also appeared to be marginal related to present attainment. Although white levels of these variables somewhat exceeded comparable levels for blacks, both groups generally were found to have such unrealistic and optimistic attitudes. A hypothesis was offered where unrealistic future orientations are seen as having positive consequences in a success-oriented society for those who are not succeeding by allowing them to not admit failure by projecting future achievements.