Gender and Socioeconomic Status as Factors of Individual Differences in Pre-University Students’ Decision-Making for Careers, with a Focus on Family Influence and Psychosocial Factors

Abstract

The present study analyses the influence of family, specifically parents, on the career decisions of their children, and how gender and socioeconomic status influence this choice. Research was carried out using data obtained from a questionnaire administered to a representative sample of students who took the university entrance examination (PEvAU, its Spanish acronym) in Spanish North Africa. A quantitative research design was adopted in which multivariate analysis (MANOVA) was applied anda decision tree, which was also used for graphical and analytical analysis. The main results indicated a significant influence of parents on their children’s choices, this being the best predictor regarding the decision to take the said examination. It was also verified that their choice of Spanish Baccalaureate programme was significantly associated with their selected career path, and gender and socioeconomic status had a significant impact on that decision. These results lead to the need for further research on guidance from secondary education onwards. It would be interesting to analyse factors neglected thus far, such as those related to the cultural environment of students.

Components of the nursing role as perceived by first-year nursing students

“…With respect to the first point, recent studies show that, among Spanish students, family members' opinions are the most important factor when deciding which university studies to pursue, although socioeconomic factors also play a major role (Olmos-Gómez et al, 2021). This view is also shared by students of other nationalities, as shown in studies by Terry et al (2020) in Australia and by Gao et al (2019) in China.…”

Career Profiles of University Students: How STEM Students Distinguish Regarding Interests, Prestige and Sextype

“…A less challenging but still desirable aspect to prestige is to minimize the risk of downward social mobility by, at minimum, aspiring to return to the same status as their parents [26]. The choice of university degree has shown to be greatly influenced by parents, particularly their socio-economic status, which also significantly interacts with the student's gender [27].…”

Challenges in the Career Decision Process for Teenagers from Disadvantaged Areas

“…In reviews about the career decision process, the most cited as frequent and relevant human factors are the following: a. parents and family (Abe & Chikoko, 2020;Akosah-Twumasi et al, 2018;Albion, 2000;Arulmani et al, 2003;Borchert, 2002;Buthelezi et al, 2009;Darmody et al, 2020;Edmonds, 2012;Fizer, 2013;Gati & Kulcsar, 2021;Germeijs & Verschueren, 2006;Grahl, 2021;Joseph, 2012;King et al, 2008;Kırdök & Harman, 2018;Mann et al, 2020;Mareş et al, 2021;Olmos-Gómez et al, 2021;Siti, 2020;Temple, 2009;Truong, 2018), but not always as a positive support, sometimes even as a source of conflict (Albion & Fogarty, 2002;Kulcsár et al, 2020); b. teachers (Abe & Chikoko, 2020;Akosah-Twumasi et al, 2018;Albion, 2000;Albion & Fogarty, 2002;Borchert, 2002;Darmody et al, 2020;Edmonds, 2012;Fizer, 2013;Germeijs & Verschueren, 2006;Joseph, 2012;Mareş et al, 2021;Olmos-Gómez et al, 2021;Temple, 2009);c. tutors (Akosah-Twumasi et al, 2018;Buthelezi et al, 2009); d. mentors (Albion & Fogarty, 2002;…”

“…a. school -seen as an institution able to ensure equal access to correct information on career choice opportunities through periodic announcements, the activity of career counsellors, newsletters, flyers, classroom presentations (Borchert, 2002;Fizer, 2013;Darmody et al, 2020;Joseph, 2012;Mann et al, 2020;Mareş et al, 2021;Temple, 2009); b. online school, the current form of ensuring formal education, as a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic (Mareş et al, 2021) -cannot offer equal chances of career counselling, the online form rather divides -(Office of Civil Rights, 2021); c. internet (with an uncertain impact status, sometimes positive, sometimes negative), online applications can sometimes be authentic support systems which provide the necessary information in a visual, interactive and attractive way, substantiating and facilitating career decision (Gati & Kulcsár, 2021); d. national portals bringing together schools and employers (Joseph, 2012;Mann et al, 2020;Olmos-Gómez et al, 2021;Temple, 2009;Truong, 2018); e. television -provided indirect information or impressions about different careers: sports, entertainment celebrities, historical personalities, public figures, successful people (King et al, 2008;Olmos-Gómez et al, 2021;Temple, 2009);…”