The Effects of Family Relation and Parental Influence on the Career Choice of Student (A Case Study of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Ekiti State)

Authors

  • Arowosegbe Christanah Kehinde
  • Olajide Olufunmilayo
  • Solomon Ifeoluwa Damilare

Abstract

This research work is designed primarily to know the effect of family relation and parental influence on the career choice of student. Parental Influence refers to the amount of participation a parent has when it comes to schooling and a child's life. Career Choice is also a process to be the one involving evaluating individual's abilities, skills and values in the light of the occupations available and how these align with work values of the available alternatives. Family is referred to when two or more persons are related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Findings from this study show that parental sensitive or involvement and response to their children is important to promote higher motivations in school and better with regards to career choices and the secure family and parent-child relationships are associated with progress in career decision making, affirmative career self-efficacy beliefs and career selection. For this purpose Social Cognitive Theory by Albert Bandura (1977, 1986, 1989, 1991, and 2001) for Career Decision Making, Person-Environment Fit (P: E Fit) Theories (John Holland 1985), and Family Systems Theory by Dr. Murray Bowen (1913-1990) for Family were employed in this study. Copies of questionnaire were administered to respondents comprising of both male and female students in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government, Ekiti state precisely, and were analysed using one way ANOVA, correlation and independent t test in order to achieve the objectives of the study. The results reveal that there is no significant relationship between Parental Involvement and Choice of Career (r(300) = .024 p>.05) and the result however showed that Family Relationship has a significant relationship on Choice of Career (r(300) = -.078 p<.05). It also showed that Parental Involvement does not have a significant influence on Choice of Career (t (298) = .531 p>.05), and there is a significant influence of Family Relationship on Choice of Career (t(298) = 1.58 p<.05). It is also revealed from the table that Parental / Guidance significantly influences Choice of Career (F(2, 297) = 2.32 p<.05). As several factors affect career choices among high school students. Identifying these factors gives parents, guardians, educators and family an idea as to where students place most of their trust in the career selection process. Based on the result of this study, there should be an expression of parental values and expectations which can be in the form of parental support and guidance on specific career or educational suggestions as well as experiences that indirectly support career development, such as family vacations, provision of resources such as books, and modeling of paid and non-paid work roles.

Key words: Career Choice, Family Relation, Parental Influence

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Published

2021-04-01

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Articles