The Consequences of Adolescent Dream-Pursuing Types of Occupational Aspirations for Status Attainment

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that if people have dream-pursuing aspirations, which many people have but are difficult to attain, they are more likely to remain in unstable employment, such as part-time work. However, how dream-pursuing aspirations relate to labor market outcomes such as income and employment status has not been examined. The results of the analysis using the SSJDA Panel show that both men and women who had dream-pursuing aspirations during their third year of high school tend to be in non-regular employment in their first job. However, for both men and women, having had dream-pursuing aspirations does not statistically relate to the likelihood of being in current non-regular employment or current low income. These results suggest that we should not emphasize the disadvantages of ‘dream pursuing’ and that it is necessary to discuss the consequences of ‘dream pursuing’ based on quantitative evidence.