The Persistence of Plans for Professional Careers Among Blacks in Early Adulthood

How Parents Influence African American Students' Decisions to Prepare for Vocational Teaching Careers

“…This finding adds to myriad literature citing the strong influence of mothers on the career choice of children (Bracey, 1992;Dawkins, 1989;Fields, 1981;Simpson, 1996). Many respondents shared the feeling of one work and family studies education student who indicated, "My mother encouraged me when school was hard and told me to hang in there because I would do just fine… I really couldn't have done it without her."…”

“…The occupational orientations of parents familiarize children with occupational roles, while the value orientations of parents provide the learning environment that motivates the aspirations of children (Lee, 1984). The aspirations of African American parents specifically provide powerful influences over their children's career choices (Dawkins, 1989). This influence may be due to the close social networks found within African American families (Riley, 1995).…”

“…Upon analyzing the specific roles of parents in this process, the literature clearly identified mothers as the most influential parent (Bracey, 1992;Dawkins, 1989;Fields, 1981;Simpson, 1996). In early adulthood, many African American children, particularly African American females (Bracey, 1992;King, 1993;Simpson, 1996) are influenced by the aspirations of their mothers.…”

Black-white differences on the Strong Interest Inventory General Occupational Themes and Basic Interest Scales at ages 16 to 65

“…For Blacks, the range of occupational choices may be limited by actual or perceived unavailability of certain types of occupations (Dawkins, 1989). All of these factors are likely to contribute to the different interest patterns that have consistently been observed on the Strong and related instruments.…”

The Continuing Significance of Desegregation: School Racial Composition and African American Inclusion in American Society

“…This model assumes that career attainment of African Americans is (a) directly influenced by educational and social psychological factors along with systemic barriers and (b) indirectly affected by family background and other social-origin factors (Dawkins, 1989). This model assumes that career attainment of African Americans is (a) directly influenced by educational and social psychological factors along with systemic barriers and (b) indirectly affected by family background and other social-origin factors (Dawkins, 1989).…”