By Anasam Hanatu Daniel, SS3
Parents influence their children’s career development and career decision-making. Parents want their children to be happy and succeed. Research also indicates that when students feel supported and loved by their parents, they have more confidence in their own ability to research careers and choose a career that is interesting and exciting.
Parents influence the level of education or training that their children achieve, the knowledge they have about working in different occupations, and the beliefs and attitudes they have to succeed. Most importantly, children and teenagers unconsciously absorb their parents’ attitudes and expectations of them as they grow up.
Some of the key influences are:
. The expectations parents have for their children’s education and career.
. The example they set for their children.
. The values they show to their family, friends and society.
. The opportunities they offer children to learn and develop
. The kind of parent-child relationship they develop.
Tip to help your child’s career development
. Encourage your children to get as much education as possible.
. Help them to discover their innate talent and skills.
. Develop their knowledge of the world of work.
. Teach them decision-making skills.
. Value gender equity and cultural diversity.
. Become aware of career resources/education and training opportunities.
Middleton and Loughead (1993) talk about how parents can have an important and positive influence on decisions affecting a young person’s vocational development. Though they also warn that over-involvement in the decision-making process can undermine parental effect as a positive source of influence. Excessive parental control regarding adolescent occupational decision-making results in negative outcomes. According to Nucci (1996), parents should be cautioned against imposing their own goals on their children or seeing their children’s accomplishments as a reflection on themselves.
Look out for the danger signs in your child’s approach:
• Have the CAO choices been discussed with a guidance counsellor?
• If possible, introduce your son/daughter to someone currently doing the course/working in the career area.
• If the school organises career talks for parents.
• Be aware of the risk of failing a crucial higher-level paper such as English or maths. End on a higher-level paper will not be accepted.
• Attend the parent-teacher meetings.
Few simple rules: be involved, but not in control, advise, but do not decide, Support, but do not dominate.
Anasam is of Government Day Secondary School Maiduguri, Borno State
