As an alternative approach to studying the affective dimensions of students' learning with normative surveys, pre-defined constructs, and Likert-scale response items, this study used a free-response format that sought students' views in their own words. Data were collected on over 3500 middle school students' aspirations for mathematics learning and generated a wide range of responses related to goals, interest, self-efficacy, and effort. The students also shared their perspectives on interactions with teachers, the classroom environment, and learning tasks. This chapter presents a comparative analysis of boys' and girls' responses at different year levels, to investigate the nature and frequency of their aspirations and to seek evidence of spontaneously generated goal orientations.