PARENT’S SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AS DETERMINANTS OF CAREER CHOICE CONFLICT AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ABUJA (FCT)

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the extent to which parents’ socio-demographic factors such as age, educational qualification, type of education and socio-economic status influenced career choice conflict of senior secondary school students in Abuja, FCT. To guide the study, four research questions were posed and four null hypotheses formulated. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. The study was carried out in Bwari, Gwagwalada and the municipal area councils of Abuja. The population for the study consists of 17,913 senior secondary school one (SS1) students in the approved government senior secondary schools in Abuja (FCT). The sample size for the study was 350 students from the area of study. Multistage sampling technique was adopted in selecting the sample. A structured questionnaire titled Students’ Career Choice Conflict Questionnaire (SCCCQ)’ was used for data collection. The research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as Mean and Standard Deviation while the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level using one-way ANOVA. The results of the study revealed that age range and socio-economic status level of parents do not significantly influence the students’ career choice conflict. However, Parents’ educational qualification as well as their type of education does significantly influenced the students’ career choice conflict. This study has educational implications on career choice conflict of students from highly qualified and educated parents from high schools such as University and secondary schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that significant career influencers such as friends, parents, members of the community and media personnel need to be equipped with correct career information for them to guide students appropriately.