Naïve or Persistent Optimism? The Changing Vocational Aspirations of Children of Immigrants at the Transition from School to Work

Abstract Children of immigrants are found to have higher aspirations than their native peers, despite lower educational outcomes and poor labour market opportunities. Analysing the development shows that students with a migration background not only aim high while still in compulsory education, but also stay optimistic. This persistent optimism indicates result naïve misconception opportunities, children inherently more ambitious peers.