The Parental Influence on Their Children’s Career Choices

Abstract

This study explores the role of parents in shaping their children’s career aspirations, with a specific focus on the impact of parental education and urban-rural divides on career guidance involvement. Data were collected from 5,000 parents across 200 schools in 17 regions and 3 cities using convenience sampling methods. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze respondents’ demographic and academic backgrounds. The results reveal that parents with secondary education are more actively engaged in guiding their children’s career decisions compared to those with higher education. Furthermore, a significant urban-rural divide exists, with rural parents demonstrating lower awareness and involvement in career guidance activities, potentially limiting career aspirations among rural students. Parental involvement peaks during middle school and declines as students approach higher education. These findings highlight the need for targeted career guidance interventions, particularly in rural areas, to ensure equitable support for all students. The study concludes by recommending strategies to increase parental engagement across different educational levels and geographical locations.