THE IMPACT OF PARENTS' WORK AND EDUCATION ON STUDENTS' CAREER CHOICES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The family is a setting in which children develop their ability to perceive reality. Passman & Wary (1996). Parents have a critical role in interpreting information about the world and children's abilities for youngsters. Vulwein, Vulwein, Hall, Kelly, Hasen, & Vulwein (1996). Family influences have a critical part in preparing pupils for their future careers as employees. Young people's attitudes toward employment and professional development are shaped by their interactions with their families. Students' career planning and decision-making are influenced by their family background. Within each family, though, the amount of engagement might be extremely beneficial or quite detrimental. The socioeconomic position (SES) of parents, their level of education, and biogenetic characteristics such as physical size, gender, aptitude, and temperament have all been proven to be connected with profession choice. Pamic & Tepson (1992) found that schooling had the greatest influence on educational goals and occupational aspirations in a study of teenage vocational development. Montgomery (1992) says that gifted mathematics students regard their profession choices as a reflection of their early family, influence, and educational possibilities. De Piddeo (1990) notes, however, that a parent's lower level of education can affect an adolescent's profession decision. Being a bom to parents with inadequate educational and financial resources decreases the chance of attending college or accomplishing professional and vocational ambitions, and effectively predetermines the child's career choice.

Familial income is another facet of a student's family history that determines his or her profession decision. Mortimer (1992) states that one explanation for this is that families with limited economic means tend to guide children, with older children providing less hope and encouragement to younger children. As a result, it is acknowledged that kids' professional options are contingent on the economic assistance they may anticipate from their parents.

In general, Hairston (2000) asserts in "the family role in professional development" that parents' career ambitions assist children in picking occupational objectives, therefore influencing their understanding of vocations and acquainting them with occupational responsibilities and needs. Lee (1999) concurs, stating that parents' occupational orientation familiarizes children with occupational tasks, while their value orientation provides the learning environment that stimulates children's ambitions. It is widely accepted in Nigeria that some vocations, such as medical, engineering, architecture, and law, command a larger premium than others, such as teaching, carpentry, and farming. That example, certain occupations are prestigious, while others are demeaning. These impacts are mediated by a variety of variables, including psychological, social, educational, economic, and parental job status.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

It is often accepted that parents have a significant effect on their children's professional choices (Lee, 1999). Additionally, it is considered that parents with high-income occupations and/or high-status employment affect their children's career choices in secondary school. Additionally, via childhood socialization, parents impact pupils' job development/interests. However, Ayo (2009) asserts that parents frequently exert influence over their children's professional choices without regard for their competence. Similarly, students are occasionally encouraged to pursue careers that are not in their best interests. In that aspect, students may be enticed to pursue occupations in which they have little passion or competence simply because they are well compensated or have a high social position. Thus, this study is positioned to examine the validity of the effect of parents' wealth, academic achievement, and gender socialization on students' profession choices.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of parents' work and education on students' career choices in secondary schools. Other objectives of this study are:

i.          To determine the extent parents' work impacts on students' career choices in secondary schools.

ii.        To determine the extent parents' education impacts on students' career choices in secondary schools.

iii.      To determine if the impact of parents' work on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance.

iv.      To determine if the impact of parents' education on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

i.          To what extent does parents' work impact on students' career choices in secondary schools?

ii.        To what extent does parents' education impact on students' career choices in secondary schools?

iii.      Does the impact of parents' work on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance?

iv.      Does the impact of parents' education on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of this study will have a significant impact on the following:

1. The Students: It will help students in that they will have an understanding of the various elements that influence profession choice. Additionally, it will teach students about careers and factors to consider while making a choice.

2. The Parents: It will provide parents with insight into how their employment and difficulties affect their children's career decision. The project will educate parents on their involvement in career decision-making and how they may best prepare their children for occupational duties and responsibilities.

3. The Teacher: This research will assist instructors in recognizing students' strengths and capacities and in determining how to steer or divert them in their numerous career choices. The study will aid the teacher in understanding what a profession is, the numerous aspects that impact her students' career choices, and when to support them.

4. The Investigator: This study will serve as a baseline for future studies. Hopefully, when this effort is done, the findings will assist the government, curriculum planners, and the whole society.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on the impact of parents' work and education on students' career choices in secondary schools. Specifically, this study is focused on determining the extent parents' work impacts on students' career choices in secondary schools, determining the extent parents' education impacts on students' career choices in secondary schools, determining if the impact of parents' work on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance and determine if the impact of parents' education on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance.

Teachers and students of selected secondary schools in Abuja will be the respondents for the survey of this study.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study’s main aim is delimited to impact of parents' work and education on students' career choices in secondary schools. Specifically, this study’s objectives is delimited to determining the extent parents' work impacts on students' career choices in secondary schools, determining the extent parents' education impacts on students' career choices in secondary schools, determining if the impact of parents' work on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance and determine if the impact of parents' education on students' career choices in secondary schools affects academic performance.

Teachers and students of selected secondary schools in Abuja will be the respondents for the survey of this study, thus the sample size was limited because only a few respondents were chosen to answer the research instrument, therefore the results cannot be generalized to other secondary schools outside the area.

The researcher also encountered some financial and logistics problems but was able to resolve it as this study was successfully completed.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Impact: A marked effect or influence

Career choices: The selection of a vocation, usually on the basis of such factors as parental guidance, vocational guidance, identification with admired figures, trial or part-time jobs, training opportunities, personal interests, and ability tests.

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