benefit culminated at twelve and a half, and then declined. The desire for
character increased somewhat throughout, but rapidly after twelve, and the
impulse to do good to the world, which had risen slowly from nine, mounted
sharply after thirteen. Thus, "at eleven all the ideas and tendencies are increasing
toward a maximum. At twelve we find the altruistic desires for the welfare of
parents, the reason 'to earn money'; at thirteen the desire on the part of the girls
to be dressmakers, also to be clerks and stenographers. At fourteen culminates
the desire for a business career in bank or office among the boys, the
consciousness of life's uncertainties which appeared first at twelve, the desire for
character, and the hope of doing the world good."
"What would you like to be in an imaginary new city?" was a question answered
by 1,234 written papers.[10] One hundred and fourteen different occupations
were given; that of teacher led with the girls at every age except thirteen and
fourteen, when dressmaker and milliner took precedence. The motive of making
money led among the boys at every age except fourteen and sixteen, when
occupations chosen because they were liked led. The greatest number of those
who chose the parent's occupation was found at thirteen, but from that age it
steadily declined and independent choice came into prominence. The maximum
of girls who chose parental vocations was at fourteen. Motives of philanthropy
reached nearly their highest point in girls and boys at thirteen.
Jegi[11] obtained letters addressed to real or imaginary friends from 3,000
German children in Milwaukee, asking what they desired to do when they grew
up, and why, and tabulated returns from 200 boys and 200 girls for each age
from eight to fourteen inclusive. He also found a steadily decreasing influence of
relatives to thirteen; in early adolescence, the personal motive of choosing an
occupation because it was liked increased, while from twelve in boys and
thirteen in girls the consideration of finding easy vocations grew rapidly strong.
L. W. Cline[12] studied by the census method returns from 2,594 children, who
were asked what they wished to be and do. He found that in naming both ideals
and occupations girls were more conservative than boys, but more likely to give
a reason for their choice. In this respect country children resembled boys more
than city children. Country boys were prone to inattention, were more
independent and able to care for themselves, suggesting that the home life of the
country child is more effective in shaping ideals and character than that of the
city child. Industrial occupations are preferred by the younger children, the
professional and technical pursuits increasing with age. Judgments of rights and