Chasing the American Dream: The Role of Aspirations and Expectations

Michel Beine (), Ana Montes-Viñas () and Skerdilajda Zanaj ()
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Michel Beine: DEM, Université du Luxembourg, LU
Ana Montes-Viñas: Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research
Skerdilajda Zanaj: DEM, Université du Luxembourg, LU

DEM Discussion Paper Series from Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg

Abstract: This paper shows that the gap between expectations and aspirations plays a significant role in the educational achievements of immigrant young adults in the US. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, the study reveals that when aspirations exceed expectations—a positive gap— migrant teens tend to exert more effort, leading to improved educational performance. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the differences in academic performance between migrant children and native-born individuals are rooted in this misalignment of aspirations and expectations. By incorporating this perspective, the paper resolves the well-documented immigrant paradox in educational performance in the US.

Keywords: Add health database; aspirations; expectations; immigrant paradox; education performance. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 I20 I21 I26 J15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-mig and nep-ure
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:luc:wpaper:24-11

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