Aspirations of an individual are an important factor in determining whether individuals can move out of persistent poverty. Various forms of socio-economic statuses need to be taken into account, especially in a country like Nepal, where an individual’s identity and aspirations are influenced by various factors, such as caste, education, social roles, and economic status. Appadurai (2004) emphasizes that aspirations are not merely content to an individual, but they are shaped via interaction in the ‘thick of social life’. Therefore, this paper attempts to juxtapose these socio economic statuses with the multiple forms of aspirations, such as social, economic, and educational. Caste and ethnicity remain the major source of cultural identity in Nepal. A People’s aspirations may be influenced by their ethnic background, cultural values, every day practices, and economic roles. Since the capacity to aspire is influenced by caste and ethnicity, it is essential to measure whether there is a correlation between castes/ethnicity and aspirations, and this paper ultimately tries to determine the correlation between people’s aspirations and their actual caste/ethnicity in Nepal.
It is assumed that the higher the education individuals’ obtain determines better human capital that is better skilled, adaptable, and productive, and earn a better income in the competitive global market. Nandan (2014) believes that change in aspirations not only changes the capability to change the current situation, but also creates needs such as education. Since education is an important tool to increase the income level of an individual, it is also necessary to find the association between education and the aspirations of individuals as this may potentially create a feedback loop of upward development of individuals and ultimately the country. Accordingly, this paper aims to assess the positive relationship between aspiration and investment in education by individuals. Research conducted in Ethiopia reveals that economically poor people in Ethiopia have low aspirations and a sense of helplessness as they believe their success and failure in life is a matter of destiny or fate. The paper published by ‘Improving Institutions for Pro-Poor Growth’ reveals that people with low aspirations are less willing to work to change their earning capacity or accept that they can make some changes in their lives. Consequently, this study attempts to provide evidence that there is a positive relationship between individual aspirations and the real economic situation of an individual.
Women in most societies have specific positions in their families with specific roles that they are obliged to fulfil. These roles are based on the norms, or standards created in what Appadurai termed the ‘thick of social life’. Women’s roles are typically socially constructed to be passive, nurturing, and subordinate. For example, in Nepalese society, a daughter in-law may have to fulfil a more subordinate and subservient role than a mother in-law in a family. These roles might have a positive or negative impact on the aspirations of women in society. Therefore, this paper also adopts a gender sensitive perspective by analyzing the relationship between various social roles/positions of women in society compared to their personal aspirations.
The results are based on an empirical study using quantitative methodology. The survey was conducted in 7 districts (Dhading, Mahottari, Nuwakot, Palpa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, and Tanahun) and 60 VDCs with a total sample size of 3300 households. This study may provide important findings of the real causes of persistent poverty as it attempts to go beyond the myriad superficial variables and potentially get to the root of why people have been unable to leave the poverty trap. All the incentives and assistance provided by the government, such as affordable and accessible financial instruments, cheaper education, and economic empowerment training may be in vain, if people simply do not have the positive aspirations to progress beyond their current situations. Therefore, determining the role of aspirations in raising people from the poverty trap is critical in developing realistic, practical, and sustainable programs of poverty alleviation for the many people in Nepal who currently live in abject poverty.