Project – INFLUENCE OF PARENTS ON CAREER CHOICE AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN AWKA SOUTH LGA OF ANAMBRA STATE

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study is the attempt to find out the Influence Of Parents on Career Choice Among Junior Secondary School in Awka South LGA of Anambra State.The study adopted a survey research design accompanied with data collated from both primary and secondary sources. With the aid of convenient sampling technique selected one hundred and fifty (150) participant who are student, teachers and administrator from the five selected secondary school in  for the study. Self- structure questionnaire was issued to the respondent of which one hundred forty-one (141) was retrieved and validated for the study. Data was analyzed using simple percentage, presented in frequencies and tables. The study therefore concludes that The role played by parents is very significant in the academic pursuit of their children.More so, other extrinsic factors such as peer pressure, income, prestige, job availability and job satisfaction influenced the students’ choice of  career but dominantly parent socio economic status, level of education and family environment affects student choice of career and to a large extent their academic performance.The study therefore recommends that The government should ensure that parenting education programme such as family-centered curriculum and instruction is enshrined in the school programme. This will make parents to be better parents and teachers to their children. More so, tt may be necessary therefore for principals or heads of school to organize seminars on parenting styles and its influences and encourage parents to attend so as to adjust to the parenting style that is positive and not only encourage good behaviour of the students but also enhance academic achievement.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Career play a very fundamental and significant role in the life of the individual not only because they determine the pattern of income but also because they affect the individual personality and concepts in life, career therefore is a choose pursuit, life work or success in one’s profession occupied by a person throughout his/her lifetime.  In a nutshell, career is the totality of work one does in his life time and is person centred it is of utmost importance to every individual as he or she prepares for the future.

Career choice is something very hard to decide, especially as his life will depend on it. Her (2003) indicated that, career is the totality of experience through which one learns about and prepares to engage in work as part of his way of living ‘ Splete (12001) Stress career is an enjoying process that occurs over the life span and includes homes, schools and community. Every human being needs to do one job or the other to help contribute his quote to the development of the country.

Ipaye (2000) refers to the need for one to discuss with one’s peer school counsellors, parents and teachers on the need to choose a life span work as “career convention” or “career conference”. However, career convention according to him is an instrument of career information. This occurs for a number of reasons, which includes:

1. To stimulate career thinking and widen occupational horizon.
2. To focus attention on particular jobs in order to help an individual crystallizes his preference.

• To create a situation in which parents can on one hand meet employers and discuss the opportunities they offer and on the other hand meet the career teachers or career officers with whom they can exchange views.

Work experience during industrial training or those experiences acquired during vocational education also aids the students in choice of career. This is a techniques in which students do job under realistic conditions without payment this may help them choose a career to that effect.

James (2004) Observes that the influence home has on the child’s learning is the fundamental concepts of life.   This cause and most of the habits and basic adjustment were established during pre-school years. The highlights the fact that home and parents occupy the most important position in the child’s education. It should be stressed that work experience is not an attempt to find job for the students but an attempt to widen the horizons of students and ease the ultimate transition from school to work. This is usually based on the information given to the school by the parents, such guidance and information are necessary because most school children are adolescents and are controlled by double standards, hypocrisy, truancy, materialism, dishonesty etc. .

The factor that may influence choice of career includes.

• Socio-economic factors
• Personal or family factors
• Cultural factors, which include schools, peer group, age and work experience. The effect of parental influence on choice of career is both negative and positive this is due to: security factors
• No usual hazards to health
• Assured steady income
• Certainty of continued employment
• Career or occupational satisfaction
• Prestige
• Social rewards.

To increase students interest and ability to use his hands and brains, the parents, must be involved to give desired assistance/guidance to the students.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

This research is based on the effect of parental influences on the choice of career among secondary school students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The parents may desire what they think is good or best for their ward.

This may affect the child positively if the child can cope with it but negatively when such a child has other things in mind, which he/she wishes to do. The result of this is that the child may not concentrate on the parents needs and so may not adjust positively towards the career. This sometimes leads to students waywardness, secrete cult involvement, armed robbery and so on. The child may not cope with the parents continual force against his/her will.

The world is marking such drastic demand upon the coming workers every truthful man and woman every teaches and reflecting parents is planning way to fit the students for the life and needs of this new century. This statement which is still relevant today was written by Mejer Bloomfield in his book ‘finding ones place in life in (2007) since the early 2000 career development or vocational guidance at it was then known has increasingly gained more and more attention and respect in essence career counselling is a specialty within the profession of counselling one that fosters vocationally development and work adjustment of individual abilities interest and goals with the work roles structured by the community and occupation organised by companies and assist a developing and deciding individual to make suitable and viable choice why examine the factors affecting career choice on senior secondary school students, in the past and even now for many. It was assumed that on individual going through late adolescent would be developing their independence and slowly eliminating his or her family’s constraints as he or she formed his or her own identity into the larger word in effect the person would make career decision based on his or her own interest research and occupational goals with limited influence from others. Infact even when young adult move away from home, their family will likely still have a strong influence upon them on two significant life events marriage and their career.

1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY

The main purpose of this study is the attempt to find out the Influence Of Parents on Career Choice Among Junior Secondary School in Awka South LGA of Anambra State.

1. To examine whether students consistently desire the same things as their friends.
2. To investigate the extent to which a student’s choice of career is influenced by their peer group.
3. To analyze the relationship between career choice and the academic performance of students.
4. To assess whether students’ career choices are based on their personal interests and values related to those careers.
5. To evaluate the influence of illiterate parents on their children’s choice of career.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

The research question which the study attempt to verify are as follows:

1. Do student always desire most things their friends do?
2. Is student’s choice of career influenced by their peer group?
3. Does career choice affect the academic performance of students?
4. Is your choice of career based on your interest and value towards that career?
5. Illiterate parents have no influence on their children’s choice of career?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

Understanding the influence of parents on career choices among junior secondary school students is crucial in shaping educational policies and support systems. In Awka South LGA of Anambra State, this study aims to highlight the pivotal role that parental guidance plays in the decision-making processes of young adolescents. Parents often serve as primary role models and decision-makers, and their perspectives can significantly impact students’ career aspirations and choices. By examining these dynamics, the study seeks to inform educators and policymakers about the importance of fostering healthy parent-student interactions regarding career exploration.

 

The research will contribute to the existing body of literature by exploring how socioeconomic status, educational background, and cultural beliefs of parents shape students’ career paths. This understanding is particularly relevant in the context of Nigeria, where traditional values often intersect with modern aspirations. By identifying these influences, the study will provide insights into how parental involvement can be optimized to encourage students to pursue diverse and fulfilling career options. This knowledge can help in designing targeted interventions aimed at enhancing parental engagement in the educational journey of their children.

Furthermore, the findings from this study will have implications for career counseling programs within schools. By recognizing the significant role parents play in career decision-making, school counselors can develop strategies that involve parents more effectively in the guidance process. This could lead to more informed and supportive career choices by students, ensuring that they are better equipped to navigate their future paths. By integrating parental perspectives into counseling practices, schools can create a more holistic approach to career development.

Additionally, the study will shed light on the challenges that arise from parental influence, including potential conflicts between parental expectations and students’ personal interests. Understanding these conflicts is essential for developing strategies that promote healthy discussions between parents and children about career choices. This can help mitigate pressure on students to conform to parental ideals, fostering an environment where they feel free to express their aspirations and make independent decisions regarding their future.

 

Moreover, the significance of this research extends beyond the immediate educational context; it addresses broader societal issues related to workforce development. By understanding how parental influence shapes career choices, stakeholders can better align educational curricula with the needs of the labor market. This alignment is critical for enhancing employability among youth and ensuring that the skills taught in schools match those required by employers in various sectors.

 

Finally, the study’s outcomes can contribute to community awareness about the importance of parental involvement in educational and career planning. By disseminating the findings through workshops, seminars, and community forums, it is possible to foster a culture that values active participation by parents in their children’s educational journeys. Such community engagement can lead to improved career outcomes for students, ultimately benefiting the larger society by cultivating a more skilled and adaptable workforce.

1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY

The research study is limited to the effect of parental influence on the choice of career among student’s in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. This research work will cover five randomly selected secondary schools in Awka South Local Government Area.

 

Furthermore, for the survey to be properly conducted questionnaire will be employed. Students’ questionnaires, teacher’s questionnaires and parents questionnaires will be given to men and women in the community to know their degree of involvement in their children’s education and choice of career.

 

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

CAREER – A chosen pursuit or course of business activity or enterprise, especially one’s professional life or employment that offers advancement and honour.

INFLUENCE– The power of acts by which parents or a person has to control the desire of another.

CHOICE: An act of choosing between two or more possibility. The right to choose or the possibility of choosing. Parental influence

FACTORS: One of several thing that cause or influence something or somebody to include as particular fact or situation when you are thinking about or planning something. Parental influence

EFFECTIVE: Producing strong feeling of sadness and sympathy. Parental influence

COUNSELLING: This is the process where a troubled or a confused person is helped by a professional to solve his problem and to make better adjustment to his society. Parental influence

GUIDANCE: This is the process of helping the student to understanding himself and his environment in other to develop self defectiveness

Project – INFLUENCE OF PARENTS ON CAREER CHOICE AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN AWKA SOUTH LGA OF ANAMBRA STATE