Self-aspiration, perceived other’ aspirations and academic performance among rural adolescents

Aspirations place a critical influence on the behaviors and academic outcomes of adolescents. The present study examines the role of students’ self-aspirations and perceived other’ aspirations on academic achievement among rural adolescents. A convenient sample of 200 students (Males=100, Females=100) in the age group 15 to 18 years was recruited for this study from a rural public school located in south India. The participants completed self-report measures of students’ self-aspirations, and others’ aspirations for them in terms of perceived parents’ aspirations, perceived teachers’ aspirations and perceived friends’ aspirations. The academic performance of the students was taken from school records. The self-aspirations and perceived others’ aspirations measured pertained to career aspiration. Analysis of variance was used to examine gender differences in self-aspirations and perceived others’ aspirations. Multiple regression was used to examine the relationship between aspirations of self, parents, teachers, and friends on the one hand and academic performance on the other. The findings of the study revealed that females have higher self-aspirations, perceived parents’ and teachers’ aspirations, and are better in academic achievement than males. Being a male negatively predicted self-aspiration, i.e., males have lower aspirations than females. Both parents’ aspirations and teachers’ aspirations positively predicted students’ self-aspiration. Friends’ aspiration did not significantly predict students’ self-aspiration. Gender and not self-aspirations emerged as a significant predictor of academic achievement; Being a male negatively predicted academic achievement. The findings have implications for research, policy, and practice in the area of youth development.