Appendix:

ELS Items for the Question “How Important is Each of the Following in Your Life?”

Work-related items

Being successful in your line of work

Having lots of money

Being able to find steady work

Getting away from this area of the country

Becoming an expert in your field of work

Getting a good education

Getting a good job

Family-related items

Finding the right person to marry and having a happy family life

Having strong friendships

Being able to give your children better opportunities than you’ve had

Living close to parents and relatives

Having children

Having leisure time to enjoy your own interests

Other items

Helping other people in your community

Working to correct social and economic inequalities

Being an active and informed citizen

Supporting environmental causes

Being patriotic

Source: Education Longitudinal Study: 2002; followup 1, 2004, student questionnaire. Items in italics are included in analyses.