The Effect Of Need On The Expectations And Aspirations Of The Poor In Bryan, Texas

Abstract

A survey of twenty-two low income Bryan residents was conducted to determine the expectations and aspirations of this sample in regards to job opportunities, housing, and educational attainment. The culture of poverty perspective and the structural problems perspective are examined as ways to view the poverty problems. The research design examines four basic hypotheses to measure the relationships between structural barriers and the expectations and aspirations of the poor. The differences between expectations and aspirations are also measured. Results indicate that the need variable explains 35% of why a certain status job is expected. Expectations were greater for housing and educational attainment than for jobs. Aspirations for jobs was also lower than for housing and education. Age correlated negatively with aspirations, and education correlated positively with aspirations. No other variables affected aspirations. Additional research calls for the examination of the job structure in regards to job availability and the degree of job mismatch.