Abstract The study was aimed at finding the parental influence on their children’s career trajectories. The study was informed by the quantitative research approach. A survey design was used in the current study. Data was collected through questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results of the study revealed that parents had tremendous influence to their children’s career trajectories. Parental influence was in the form of their direct and indirect involvement in their children’s education. Results also revealed that siblings and other extended family members had also an influence to a lesser extent. The study recommended that schools involve parents in their career development activities as they were found to be an important factor in the children’s careers. The study also recommended a similar study be carried out at national level to enable generalisation of the findings.

This quantitative study sought to explore the effects of single parenting on childcare in Masvingo urban, Zimbabwe. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted in the study. A standardised questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. A sample of 47 single mothers residing in Masvingo urban was selected using stratified random sampling. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics. Findings of the study revealed that single mothers were labelled as having loose morals and had suffered from a mental disorder at least once before. Single mothers were moving frequently in search of better-paying jobs and cheaper accommodation. This study further revealed that children raised by single mothers did not have behavioural problems but, however, had emotional problems. The study recommended that a comprehensive study covering a wider geographical area be done to enable generalisation of results to a wider population. The study further recommended that policies that support single mothers in their endeavours to support the children be enacted. Keywords: Single mother, childcare, Masvingo.

Career decision-making, particularly among high school students, is something that all students should carefully consider since it has ripple effects in one’s life. This paper presents an overview of peer pressure as a factor that influences career decision-making among high school students in Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. A quantitative research approach was used in the current study. A survey design that made use of questionnaires in collecting data was used. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. A total of 1,010student participants and 20 career guidance teachers who were randomly selected participated in this study. Results from the study indicated that students are influenced by their peers in making career decisions in a number of ways. Chief among the predictors were peer advice, encouragement and peer education. However, students denied that they seek validation of their career decisions from their peers. The study recommended that a similar national study be carried out to enable generalisation of the results to a wider community.   Keywords: Peer influence, career choices, decision-making, Midlands Province.

This study aimed to establish factors that inhibit sexual abuse disclosure among adolescents: to identify factors that promote sexual abuse disclosure among adolescents and to develop strategies that can promote early sexual abuse disclosure. Adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years (n = 12), who experienced sexual abuse and disclosed immediately or after sometime, were purposively selected. A qualitative research approach which made use of the phenomenological research design was used to collect data. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The results of the study revealed that the inhibiting factors of sexual abuse disclosure included fear of perpetrator, fear of parent’s reaction, non-comprehension of sexual abuse, positive relationship with abuser and uncertainty as to how and to whom to disclose to. Shock and disbelief, beatings and threats and negative effects of sexual abuse also facilitate disclosure of sexual abuse among adolescent survivors of sexual abuse.   Keywords: Child sexual abuse, adolescents, sexual abuse disclosure, Gutu;

Many factors affect how people make career choices. The study sought to investigate school influence on career pathways among secondary school students in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. The investigation serves as a springboard to establishing a career guidance model that would assist career guidance teachers in high schools in their endeavours to help students make career choices from a well-informed perspective. A self-designed questionnaire was used in collecting data from the participants. One thousand and ten high school students and 20 career guidance teachers participated in the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19 was used to calculate the percentages that were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that schools had an impact on secondary school students’ choice of careers. The geographical location of schools was cited as quite influential in the choices of careers by students and career guidance teachers are allowed to teach career guidance. Keywords: Career, career choice, guidance, secondary school