1

Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
The senior year is one of the most crucial parts of being a student.

Besides the pressures and stress brought about the different activities,

examinations, and projects they are undergoing, this is where the turning point of

their future career will be decided. They will have to decide what course they will

enroll in the tertiary level which will eventually become their career in the future.

One of the bases of their career choice is their family or parent profession or

occupation, and because of their exposure to their parents occupation including

its nature and effects to them. These have great influence in their decision.

Furthermore, most of the students look up to their parents as their idols or one

of good examples. With that, they tend to follow their parents footsteps. The

career choice process of young people can easily be compared to rocks in a rock

polisher. All kinds of people grind away at them but parents are the big rocks in

the tumbler (Otto, 1989, p.2-3). Indeed, parents serve as major influences in the

lives of their children (Otto, 1989).

Of the factors that influence career choice processes, family members,

particularly parents, are the most influential determinants of career plans,

occupational aspirations and occupational expectations {Hines, 1997; Lee, 1984;

Leong, 1995; Parham and Austin, 1994). Even if schools have the resources

with which to meet young peoples career guidance needs, neither teachers nor

counselors can replace the influence parents have on their sons and daughters

career plans (Otto, 1989, p. 1-3).

According to Taylor, et.al, 2004, parents may also become overly involved

in career decisions because they want their child to be more content in a career
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than they are in their own jobs. Children may begin and identify and accept what

parents say in order to please them.

According to Kidssource online, the family is a place in which children

learn to interpret reality (Way & Rossmann, 1996). Parents serve as significant

interpreters for children of information about the world and childrens abilities

(Hall, Kelly, Hansen, and Gutwein, 1996).

Background of the Study

A study on the factors influencing career choices of adolescents in

Pennsylvania (Ferry, 2006), young adults, through interaction with the context of

family, school and community learn about and explore careers that ultimately

lead to career choice. The interdependence of family, school and community

culture played a critical role in shaping the youths occupational choice. Youth in

communities of more affluence appeared to have more family and school support

in career exploration, with resulted in consideration of a wider range of career

options. Parents, followed by family members, provided valuable learning

experiences through their own role models and supporting activities that assisted

in exploring career interest.

Work-bound youths parents frequently taught skills that provided youth

with a broader understanding of their own aptitudes contributing to career choice.

My dad works on big caterpillar transmissions, and some of my uncles do that

kind of work, we work together, and you know, I learned a lot from them, how to

do anything. This is why, Im a Diesel-Tech Major.

A major turning point in adolescents lives involves the career choice that

they make after graduation in high school. Frequently, it is viewed by family and

community as a mere start to workplace readiness; however, this decision plays

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a major role in establishing youth in a career path opens as well as closes

opportunities. Given the differences in the social and economic context of

college-bound versus work-bound adolescents (Blustein, Philips, Jobin-Davis,

Finkelberge, & Roarke, 1997).

In this study, the researcher aims to provide information on how to choose

the rightful course above all these factors specially the occupational attainment of

their parents and its influence. This study may be a useful instrument to students

who are confused in choosing the rightful course and be able to handle the

factors that will affect his decision. This may help them decide whether to pursue

a degree or course they are thinking of.

Conceptual Framework

This study reflects the observation that there has always been the desire to

improve existing systems if not develop them. The evolution of data presentation has

remarkably proven it. Even the purpose of the information and the medium used to

assess it seems to evolve.

The paradigm illustrates the systems approach in the accomplishment of a

task. This process means the interdependence of one component to the other. In

brief, each part constitutes to the whole and the whole to each part, and each

part to the whole. Taken in its acronym is the IPO or Input, Process and Output

Schema.

As seen in the paradigm, the components are: the Input, the Process, and

the Output.
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INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. Profile of
Respondents
1.1Sex 1. Assessment of the
1.2Age students profile
1.3Sibling Position 2. Determination of he
1.4Parents students preferred Career Program for Senior
Occupation courses High School Students of
1.5Parents 3. Assessment of the Baggao National High
Educational School
effects of parents
Attainment
1.6Family Monthly
occupation on the
Income course preference
2 Students Preferred of their children
Course 4. Correlation of the
3 Career Choice students preferred
Factors courses and their
3.1 parents
personal profile
occupation
3.2 personal points variables
of view
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FEEDBACK

Figure 1.Schematic Diagram of the Study

The inputs are those that bring about results. The initial consideration is

on the students profile in terms of age, gender, sibling position, parents

occupation, parents educational attainment and family income. Vital also are the

students preferred course, career choice factors and personal point of views.

The second component is the process. It is the component expressive of

implementation. Its linkage with the inputs brings about the desired output which

is the third component. The process includes the assessment of the students

profile, determination of the students preferred courses, and assessment of the

effects of parents occupation on the course preference of their children. Central

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also is the correlation of the perceptions of students and their personal profile

variables.

The output is no less than a well devised career program for senior high

students of Baggao National High School.

Statement of the Problem

The researcher aims to analyze how the parents occupation affects the

course preference of fourth year students of Baggao National High School,

school year 2013-2014. Specifically, the researcher seeks to answer the

following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1. Sex
1.2. Age
1.3. Sibling Position
1.4. Parents Occupation
1.5. Parents Educational Attainment
1.6. Family Monthly Income
2. What are the course preferences of respondents?
3. To what extent are the students influenced in their course preference by

the following factors:

3.1. Parents occupation
3.2. Personal Point of View
4. Is there a significant difference in the course preference of students when

grouped according to:

4.1. Sex
4.2. Age
4.3. Sibling Position
4.4. Parents Occupation
4.5. Parents Educational Attainment
4.6. Family Monthly Income

Hypothesis of the study

The study is guided by the following hypothesis:
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There is no significant difference between the course preference and the

profile of student-respondents in terms of the following:

a. Sex
b. Age
c. Sibling position
d. Parents Occupation
e. Parents Educational Attainment
f. Family Monthly Income

Significance of the Study

In this study, the researcher will be able to understand and acknowledge

the effects of parents occupation on the course preference of fourth year

students of Baggao National High School.

The results of this study may be useful in providing background or

information in identifying a better career path.

The study and its results might also suggest better ways of choosing

rightful course to pursue by equipping them with strategies, techniques and

approaches for career development.

Students. Since this study includes related issues for better

understanding on career choice, this study may be very significant for them in

choosing the course they believe could lead them in a life-achieved career.

Parents. This study may serve as basis in guiding their children to which

course is most fitted for them.

Teachers, This study may be adopted in helping teachers disseminate

occupational information and modification of existing curriculum to meet students

needs on career choice and its implications to career development.

School Guidance Counselors. This study may assist them in promoting

involvement and commitment in the implementation of career guidance in order

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to assist every student to understand themselves of their capacities, acquaint

them the opportunities in the world of work, and help develop in them the

freedom of responsible decision-making skills, thus leading them to a well-

deserved career.
School Administrators. This study may serve as eye opener for them

by giving utmost concern for the long-term success of their students after high

school, thus promoting career guidance and counseling in school and

emphasizing the need for programs designed to promote equity and fairness in

career choice.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

This study will be limited to the assessment of the effects of parents

occupation on the course preference of fourth year students of Baggao National

High School, school year 2013-2014.

Based from the school register (Form 1) of BNHS, the respondent

students are the seven sections of the fourth year classes: first, the science

section a section with a specialized science curriculum with a number of

student-respondents of 13 and the regular classes comprising 6 sections with a

distributed number of respondents; section 1 = 27, section 2 = 26, section 3 = 26,

section 4 = 26, section 5 = 27, and section 6 = 27.

Likewise, the study will be delimited on the students profile such as sex,

age, sibling position, parents occupation, parents educational attainment, and

family monthly income.

Definition of terms
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The following terminologies are used throughout the thesis and are

elucidated for better understanding, to wit:

Aptitude refers to the persons facility in learning/performing in a

particular field such as aptitude for math, language, mechanical reasoning, etc.
Assessment the process of understanding a client through the use of

assessment measures such as standardized test such as intelligence,

achievement, aptitude, observation, interview, etc.

Attainment refers to someones accomplishment in a chosen field of

endeavor.
Career identifies the many settings in which people find themselves.
Career development the lifelong behavioral process and the influences

to every individual that leads to ones work values, choice of occupation, creation

of career patterns, decision-making style, role integration, self-identity, career

identity, educational literacy and related phenomena.

Counseling a professional relationship between a guidance counselor

and a client which requires a non-judgmental acceptance and empathetic

understanding of the latter to be able to provide assistance in the latters

decision-making.
Course refers to a program of a study to complete a college or university

degree or subject.
Effect this term refers to the power or capacity to bring about a result. In

this study, this term was used to refers to the possible association of parents

occupation to the course preference of their sons and daughters.

Development shows that people are continually changing throughout

life. Life is always in the process of becoming (UPIS-LCDP, 1998)

Interest can be manifested, expressed or assessed. This refers to a

persons tendency to prefer some forms of activities/tasks more than others.

Life focus is on total person as well as all aspects of their growth and

development over the lifespan (UPIS-LCDP, 1978)

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Parents Occupation it pertains to persons regular work as a means of

livelihood. In this study, this term refers to the occupation or job of the parents of

the respondents.
Personal Point of View in this study, this term was used to refer to the

respondents personal position on the numerous items contained in the research

questionnaire which relates to their respective course preferences.

Preference it refers to someones decision what is better or best on his

own perception. In this study, this term was used to refer to students choice/s in

term of the curricular courses they would want to pursue in college.

University it refers to an institution offering various academic degrees on

different subjects. It is also called HEIs or Higher Education Institutions.

Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This part presents relevant foreign and local literature which has

significant bearing with the present study. These significant information and

discussions greatly helped the researcher to gain deeper understanding of this

study which focuses on the influence of parents occupation on the career

choice of students.

A. Foreign Literature

Brief History of the Career Development

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The succeeding discussions presents in brief a historical background of

career developmenthow it evolved across different periods to include notable

theories related to career development and decision making.

Parsons work was the foundation for what is now known as Trait-And-

Factor Theory (Parsons 1909; Sharf 1997). The theory assumes that all

individuals have unique interests, abilities, and values, while each occupation

has unique characteristics related to tasks, skills required, and rewards. As the

oldest and most widely used of the career development theories, Trait-And-

Factor theorists believe that these unique characteristics of both individuals and

jobs can be measured objectively and will produce the highest amount of

satisfaction for both workers and employers when they are correctly matched

together (Ireh, 2000). This approach is much more assessment based and pays

limited attention to a clients emotional or motivational states. In essence, the

client narrows their occupational search by gaining an understanding of their

career aptitude and interests based on one or more vocational interests John

Hollands subsequent work (1966; 1973) was based on shared psychological

features, such as skills and personality. From his testing, Holland eventually

came to the conclusion that every person or occupation can be broken down into

six categories, known as RIASEC codes: (Realisticskilled trades/technical

occupations; Investigativescientific occupations; Artisticartistic/literary/musical

occupations; Social educational/religious occupations; Enterprisingpersuasive

occupations; and Conventionalclerical/business occupations).

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Assessments based on Trait-and-Factor Theory, where a persons

thoughts and behaviors were assumed to stay fairly constant over their lifetime,

continued to strengthen as more and more tests were created to match a

persons personality and skills to a specific job.

Another leading theorist for career counseling, John Krumboltz, developed

the social learning theory of career decision making (1999), based on the idea

that the development of career interests is the result of an infinite number of

learning experiences. Abilities and emotions (along with environmental and

cultural factors) either positively or negatively reinforce certain activities.

Individuals will naturally gravitate toward areas that they feel are emotionally

positive or are rewarded by their peers/society (Krumboltz, 1999). In the last few

decades, career counseling has evolved from a pure trait-and-factor practice into

a form of counseling where assessment results are seen as merely providing

pieces of information used to form a more holistic picture of the client that

includes defining the individuals reality through a narrative history with the

counselor (Brott, 2001). One of the primary factors in this change is due to the

significant differences in this postindustrial age. Campbell and Ungar (2004), in

their article, it was stated that there is no longer a predetermined path or a logical

linear progression from school to the workplace to retirement. Rather there is an

opportunity to design a work life which is satisfying to the individual and which

can be redesigned as needs.

Historical Overview of Parental Influence on Career Choice

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It has long been assumed that parental dynamics and interactions play a

significant role on their childrens career development (Bratcher, 1982; Zingaro,

1983). A plethora of research investigations and articles related to parental

influence have been published on these topics. However, there is still an

inadequate amount of work to combine these articles or provide the empirical

research and analysis needed to understand the depth of a familys influence

upon a sons or daughters vocational choice (Whiston & Keller, 2004).

Regrettably, less than two hundred empirical studies have been conducted since

Roe first advanced the idea that the family plays a part in individuals career

choice over 50 years ago (Keller & Whiston, 2008). This lack of conclusive

evidence has led vocational psychologists and career counselors to function

with the underlying belief that people could make decisions that reflected their

own dreams, passions, and talents in the world of work, unencumbered by family

issues, cultural mores, racism, classism, and sexism, (Blustein, 2004).

Since the 1980s, family therapists and career counselors have unearthed

more information about the significant influence parents have on their childrens

development of vocational choices later in life (Kinnier, Brigman, & Noble, 1990;

Lopez & Andrews, 1987). Even though adolescents actively begin demonstrating

their independence from their parents in their high school years, these young

adults are still very much dependent on their parents for their career growth. In

fact, parents tend to create the strongest impression on their adolescents

vocational choice more than any other group including counselors, teachers,
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friends, or even people working in the identified occupation of desire (Bardick,

Bernes, Magnusson, & Witko, 2004).

Hans Sebald (1989) uncovered in his longitudinal study on career choices

making among adolescents, that they look to their parents as well as their peers

in equal measure but separated which group they would talk to by the nature of

the issue. For mundane issues such as what clothes to wear, what social events

to attend and who to date; the peers were the dominant advisors. However, when

the adolescent required information on topics such as career planning they

looked to their parents an overwhelming majority of the time (Sebald, 1989, p.

944). Even with parents stating that their assistance with their childs career

development is an important parental task, this influence has continued to be

underutilized or even ignored by many schools counselors thereby neglecting

one of the adolescents most powerful resources. Even today, counselors at the

college level resist the idea of working directly with parents when counseling their

students, regarding career and academic advising, mainly to avoid possible

interference and to protect students confidentiality.

As family systems began growing in popularity during the mid-to-late-

twentieth century, Walter Bratcher was one of the original authors to discuss how

this theory could be used to gain insight into career decision-making by young

people. He subscribed to the notion that the family is the most powerful system to

which human beings can belong and that the family is constantly fabricating the

direction and choices of ones individual life, as well as relentlessly feeding back

information over ones lifetime (Bratcher, 1982). Young people, who find a healthy
 15

independence from the family during adolescence and young adulthood, may

give rise to a more confident career search and experimentation that is needed

by individuals to examine possible occupations.

However, family dysfunction (relationships that are either enmeshed or

severely disengaged may hinder an individuals self-afficacy (belief in ones

ability to succeed) in vocational searching or decision making (Ryan, Solberg, &

Brown, 1996). Families that are enmeshed are ones in which members are

excessively dependent on each other (i.e., have trouble making decisions on

their own and/or relating to others outside their family) and families that are

disengaged where members are much more isolated and typically lack of

affection and guidance.

Joseph Zingaro (1983), another early voice advocating the benefits of

family therapy as a tool for counselors in treating career indecision with clients,

described how often the problem was not a young persons attempt to decide

between one career choice and another, but it was the actual decision making

that was the issue. For the indecisive person, any decision implies movement

away from familiar surroundings (including his or parents), not movement

towards a new goal (Zingaro, 1983). He goes on to discuss how a client, who is

undifferentiated (i.e. unable to separate their emotions or the influence of others

upon their own decision making), may have a difficult time making career choices

as he or she cannot separate his or her parents expectations versus his or her

own goals and expectations (Zingaro, 1983).

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As children begin to transition into adulthood through the formation of their

own identity, the more comprehensive view of parental influence regarding the

childs career development is preferred, from a counseling standpoint, as it takes

into account the entire context of the adolescents decision-making (Middleton &

Loughead, 1993).

Parents financial concerns and expectations also play a part in their direct

or indirect influence on their childrens career choice by adding their own biases

and attitudes into particular occupational fields (you need a job at a big

business, not some nonprofit company helping the poor if you want to have a

family in the future.) Additionally, parents must also be aware of their indirect

communication they are sending to their children (Rainey & Borders, 1997).

In the case of career education, what the parents do and how they act is a

much more powerful influence on the adolescent than what they say.

Furthermore, the young adults understanding of his or her parents expectations

will influence their own career decisions, depending on whether the adolescent

feels the need to go along with their parents views or to rebel against them

(Mau, Hitchcock, & Calvert, 1998).

Issues related to career choices

1. Socioeconomic Status

If one were permitted only a single variable with which to predict an

individuals occupational status, according to Schulenberg, Vondracek, and

Crouter (1984), it surely would be the socioeconomic status of that individuals

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family of orientation. This statement is based on the concept that parents from

different social classes develop their own social and cultural values based on

their current social class. The parents subsequently pass on these social class

values to their children preparing them for a similar occupational roles within that

particular class structure. Socioeconomic status is defined as a familys current

income, the parents current occupation(s), the status associated with their

occupation, and the parents highest educational level (Brown, Fukunaga,

Umemoto, & Wicker, 1996).

As Brown and his team (1996) pointed out, social class affects

occupational choices by providing tangible resources (money, transportation,

higher quality schools, etc.), as well as the values and expectations, of that social

strata on their childrens career choices. Carrying this concept even further,

whereas middle-class parents generally emphasize initiative and autonomy,

those parents from the lower economic classes tend to encourage conformity.

These lessons translate into what early work experiences the youth may have,

what skills they develop, and eventually the kinds of work they will do as an adult

(Bryant, Zvonkovic, & Reynolds, 2006).

An additional variable that occurs as a result of a familys socioeconomic

status is the financial stress that parents will feel more often in a working-class or

lower-class environment, which may translate into more conflicts about careers

between the adults and the adolescents (Conger, Ge, Elder, Lorenz, & Simons,

1994).
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Weinger (2000), after analyzing the responses of 5-14 year old students

from families that were classified as middle-class or poor, found that those from

middle class valued their parents income, felt it would help them obtain their

professional career, and saw themselves in similar professional roles as their

parents. However, the low income students did not feel their parents would

naturally finance their education, nor did they have high-level, professional

careers images of their parents after which they could model themselves.

Although this study is not directly focused on young adults, it does convey the

early messages that children adopt about their career options, based on their

parents influence from a socioeconomic viewpoint.

2. Gender and Career Choice Issues

The word gender is defined as the behavioral, cultural, or psychological

traits typically associated with one sex according to the Merriam-Webster Online

Dictionary (2009) and provides the foundation for this section on gender related

studies within the career development field. Gender role socialization is one of

the earliest, and thus potentially one of the most powerful, forms of socialization.

B. Local Literature

Several factors affect students choice of course in college. One of this is

family related factors. Study revealed that Filipino immigrants and non-

immigrants rely heavily on their familys decision-making.

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Students cope by following their parents advice. They also have to cope

with an expectation of financially supporting the family upon completing their

education. Studies from other Asian countries also show parents impact in

decision making of students when it comes to students course preference

(SaySay, 2011). Another study highlighted that parental involvement have

positive impact on Hmong / Mong adolescents education and career choice

(Thao, 2009). Furthermore, it is reported that parents are deeply involved and

influential to their high-achieving childrens college choices. The report also found

open houses, dialogue with college friends, alumni, and admitted-student

programs are extremely influential to students. The report claimed these sources

are not well known, but very powerful to students decision making for their

college. The study also found 26% of sampled students paid a specialist or

advisor during the college decision process (Haerne, 2009). The studies

presented are important to the present study since the studies explain the

importance of taking parents advice and permission in choosing a college

course.

Respect for family is one of the most influential factors that impact Filipino

students career decision. It is concurred that Out of respect and loyalty, it may

not be appropriate to express personal desires; rather, one may alter ones

interests to maintain harmony. As a sign of respect, Filipino children want to do

well for the sake of the family, follow parents advice about choosing a job or

major in college and lastly, make sacrifices for the family (Finlayson, 2009). For

practicality reasons, it is also reported that parents usually encourage careers

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that will not cost much money, but at the same time, are stable sources of

income. Careers in nursing, accounting, and engineering are highly popular for

Filipino families (Saysay, 2011). These writings discuss that the family decides in

what college course students should take is also associated with the financial

status of the family.

Aside from family related factors, economic factors which includes the

employability and availability of job in the future is also considered by students.

Employability, i.e., the realistic feasibility of being employed in a stable job, then

becomes an important factor in career decision-making. Coming from a collective

culture, immigrant parents and children seek careers that will support the whole

family. Moreover, it is found that Asian American men and women tend to be

more interested in technical fields, the physical sciences, and non-enterprising

business positions over artistic, social, or socially interactive business careers

(Leong, 2004).

Aside from economic factors, exposure of students to career related

technical and academic subjects also known as elective subjects in the

Philippines also helps in students decision making in career choices in college. It

was revealed that career technical Education (CTE) was perceived positively by

middle school and high school counselors in Tenessee, and the need for career

awareness should begin in a students early years before high school. However,

there was a difference in perceptions of CTE by middle school and high school

counselors. Both middle school and high school counselors felt that CTE

teachers should have knowledge, skills and a teaching license (Finlayson, 2009).
 21

School counselors felt that they did not have enough time to provide career

counselling to students. Being informed and ready to choose a career focus area

in a student freshmen year could help make the transition from middle school to

high school easier thus help prevent the student from dropping out of school

before graduation. On the importance of integrating the academic curriculum in

students preparation for a college course choice, it is explained that academics

should be integrated with career-focused courses so students can see practical

application for the academic courses such as mathematics, science, reading and

writing (Plank, 2001). Personality and interest are not the only criteria for

choosing a career.

C. Foreign Studies

The first factor in career choice- environment may influence the choice of

a career among students. For instance, a student who lived in an island may

choose a career dealing with water, or they may opt to leave the island behind,

never to have anything to do with water again. Maybe someone in the students

life has made a significant impact or impression, leading to a definite career

choice. Parents educational background may influence student views on whether

or not to continue their education. Someone they saw on television may have

influenced the student may have influenced the student, or parents may have

demanded that they assume a family business. These are various environmental

factors that would lead a student to a chosen career.

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How students have seen themselves in a role in which personality is a

determining factor may influence a chosen career. Some careers demand that

you have the personality to match the qualities of the occupation. For example,

sales people have to be outgoing. Splaver (1997) said Personality plays an

important role in choosing of the right career. A students personality must be

self-motivated type, as to investigate career possibilities from early on in their

lives, and not the procrastinating type that waits until they are compelled to

decide. Students must take seriously the role grades play in limiting opportunities

in the future. Splaver went on to say, It is important for you to have good

understanding of yourself, your personality, if you are to make intelligent career

plans (Splaver, 1997).

In an attempt to see how students took advantage and followed through

on opportunities, the researcher interviewed University Wisconsin-Stouts

Assistant Director of Admissions, Barbara Tuchel, who indicated that students

take the path of least resistance to enter the university. If a parent had exerted

enough pressure on the student to enter a particular career field and the student

had no current plans, then students followed their parents suggestion. Tuchel

thought that students should be thinking about career decisions in their senior

year of high school. It should become apparent at that time that the student will

have to do something. Tuchel stated that the environment plays a large part in a

students career choice. Students traditionally stay at home to either obtain

education or start employment. Tuchel mentioned that marriage also played a

large path in career decisions. She stated that the economics of marriage either
 23

solidified the commitment to go on higher education or stopped career plans

short, depending on the stability of marriage (B.J. Tuchel, personal

communication, June 18, 2002).

A study on career choice in Ethiopia by Stebleton (2007) indicated that the

students had external locust of control and believes that there are numerous

external factors which influence their career choice. The external factors include;

political and economic considerations, previous and work experiences, and the

influence of key individuals in a persons life. Pummel, Harwood, & Lavallee

(2008) reports that external influences that helps to shape on individuals career

choice are also influenced by significant others through social support from

peers.

In a study by Ferry, Natalie (2006), young adults through interaction with

the context family, school and community learn about and explore careers which

ultimately lead to their career choice. One consistent finding in research suggests

that adolescents own aspirations are influenced by their parents aspirations or

expectations. Parental support and encouragement are important factors that

have been found to influence career choice. Children may choose what their

parents desire simply to please them (Taylor, et.al. 2004).

According to Oyamo and Amoth (2008), studies in Kenya show that rural

students tend to seek help from parents more than urban students and that

parents more than teachers play a major role in the career choice of students.
 24

Generally, the choice of a career is influenced by parents, friends and

counselors.

Regarding career aspirations, Wilson and Wilson (1992) found male

adolescents aspire to higher level careers than female adolescents, which was

consistent with much of the findings completed around similar studies over the

past few decades (OBrien, Friedman, Tipton, & Linn, 2000). This may be due to

early socialization where boys, generally perceived that school activities were

beneficial in relation to career planning, engaged in career planning earlier than

did girls, and were more active in it than girls.

Part of this perspective may come from the routine socialization of women

who are constantly and consistently exposed to messages that her life should

revolve around caring for a family and her career plans are secondary (Cook,

Heppner, & OBrien, 2002). Although womens career choices have increased

dramatically since the 1960s and 1970s (Hakim, 2006), women still find their

occupational choices limited, in comparison to mens choices (Gadassi & Gati,

2009).

Using a sample from pre-school aged students to high school seniors,

McMahon and Patton (1997) surveyed 55 young people on their perceptions of

work and their knowledge about influences and gender differences. They found

that both males and females, from 4 years to 18 years old, consistently

presented gender-stereotypical perceptions of occupations in certain industries.

Boys were found to be especially critical of other boys who were working in
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stereotypical female jobs (e.g. a male cook or male nurse) (McMahon & Patton,

1997).

Kniveton, in his 2004 research, discussed how parents are the ones

providing the strongest influences on their childrens career development through

support and advice related to their own experiences. Citing previous studies

(Creed & Patton, 2003), Kniveton believed in the theory that not all people feel

they have free choice when it comes to choosing a career (i.e. a lack of direct

control over their lives). He used a relatively short questionnaire. The items were

all measured with Likert type scale responses to interview 348 young people) to

help explore who these young adults felt were helping them with their career

exploration. The data were examined, first, through the whole sample and, later,

were subdivided to examine the results through birth order and gender. The

study demonstrated that males, more than females, were interested in obtaining

a job but that most other considerations were about equal between the two

groups. The results of Knivetons study also showed that parents had a much

larger influence than that of the teachers, with the same sex parent being the

most influential over the adolescent.

D. Local Studies

The matter of choosing a career in the Philippine setting is clearly a family

affair. Most studies on career choice reveal the crucial role of parental influence
 26

in the career choices of Filipino adolescents. This reflects the high value Filipinos

place on close family ties to the point of making sacrifices for the family welfare

(Go, 1994).

In a study conducted by Almerio (2003), it was found out that a big picture

of big family with low educational attainment and inadequate investment was the

sole foundation of choosing a course, which was psychologically motivated. The

respondents level of preferred intelligence did not match to their chosen course.

This could be drawn from the required level of the course in contrast with their

level of preferred intelligences. The necessity of developing a career

development program was need in order to prevent any misfits and to assist

students in the process of crystallizing their career in life. She recommended that

this program b effectively implemented.

In a related study conducted by Siguan, Jr. (1994), it was found out that

the students self-concept showed no significant influence on their career

preferences. The academic achievements of students proved to be significant

related to their career preferences. The school where students came from has no

influence on their choice of career. He recommends that a more improved and

functional guidance provided in school to help students make sound career

choices. Siguan, Jr. (1994), reiterated that the guidance services in school must

be collaborative efforts of the administrator, guidance counselors, and teachers.

Classroom teachers are encouraged to perform their best in improving teaching-

learning processes, considering that academic achievement of student influences

their career preferences.

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According to the study of Pabiton, (2007), it was found out that interest,

abilities, skills and values are the most influential factors towards a chosen

occupation. These imply that like other graduating students from high school, the

participants seemed to have chosen occupation. Pabiton (2007) also noted that

the students be given all the chances to learn and develop the skills and attitudes

required for various occupations. Pabiton (2007) further recommends that career

counselors could give more emphasis on this environmental factor during

individual and small group career counseling.

According to the study of Salazar-Clemena (1992), career counseling in

the Philippines show common reasons for the curricular choices of college and

high school students; their interest in the field, opportunity for employment,

personal or family welfare, financial returns, and influence of role models

mostly family members.

Agana (1982) cited other factors that emerged in more recent studies

include prestige, admiration, status, ability, influence of media, security, peer and

family influence, and opportunity to go and work abroad.

According to Elmer (1989), as cited by Soriano, A.S. and Roces in their

study, career planning is life goal-setting. Without such a plan, it is like making a

journey to an unfamiliar destination without a map. He proposed a Career

Planning Guide that will help the students in choosing their appropriate course

from planning a career, steps in planning career, goal-setting and self-

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understanding. Also, it reveals that guidance and counseling is intervention of

underemployment of individuals, thus, career preparedness must be initiated.

Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This part presents the accompanying instruments that will be used in the

study to include the method of research, the locale and respondents of the study,

data gathering procedures, sampling procedures and the statistical tools that will

be utilized in the study.

 29

Method of Research Used

The study attempts to assess the effects of parents occupation on the

course preference of fourth year students of Baggao National High School. The

descriptive method of research shall be utilized. This method of research

according to Jack K. Fraenkel and Norman E. Wallen (1993, p.287), describes an

existing relationship between variables and the degree to which two or more

quantitative variables are related and it does so by the use of a correlation

coefficient, similarly, Consuelo G. Sevilla, et.al. (1990, p.111), also states that this

design helps one determine the extent to which the different variables are related

to each other and the population of interest.

Locale of the Study

This study shall be conducted in Baggao National High School , a public

General Secondary School. BNHS is headed by a Secondary School Principal III

and assisted by two (2) Secondary School Head Teacher III. The school has Fifty

Three (53) permanent teachers (Master Teacher II 2, Master Teacher I 3,

Teacher III 27, Teacher II 4, Teacher I 17) and one (1) Local School Board-

Funded teacher. Of the total teacher populace, six (6) have earned units in

Doctoral Degree, thirty nine (39) has graduated from the Masters Degree, and 10

others are currently enrolled in their masters degree. The school likewise has its

Bookkeeper, Disbursing Officer and Guidance Counselor all with a permanent

status of appointment.
The Baggao National High School, together with the support of its

stakeholders, is greatly pole vaulting to the next higher of level of

accomplishments in almost all avenues of the educational system. Thus, the

school has facing the challenge to continue its commitment to enforce its vision
 30

committed to a culture of excellence providing services of educating potential in

a value laden, collaborative, and cooperative learning experiences thereby

enabling him/her to become independent, responsible, God-loving and patriotic

citizen of the country. The school likewise pushes its way in galvanizing its

mission that is to provide education that is equitably accessible to all

Baggaoeos and lay the foundation for lifelong economic, political and social

aspects of progress and development. The vision and mission stand firm in

meeting the demands of the academe amidst challenges of the K-12 Basic

Education Curriculum. BNHS remains focused and will remain committed to

serve its clientele the learners.

LEGEND:
Color represents the school site (i.e. Barangay) where the respondents

are studying.

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study are fourth year students of Baggao National

High School. The seven sections of the fourth year with an enrolment of 315
 31

students shall be the subject of the study. Out of the 315 fourth year students, the

researcher will pick in random about 176 students to participate in the study.
Table 1 shows the distribution of respondents of the study.
Table 1

Distribution of Respondent Students by Section

Distribution of
Sections Actual Enrolment
Respondents
Science Class 23 13

Fourth Year - 1 48 27

Fourth Year 2 52 30

Fourth Year 3 47 26

Fourth Year 4 47 26

Fourth Year 5 49 27

Fourth Year 6 49 27

Total of respondents 315 176

Sampling Procedure
The target population for this descriptive-correlation study consisted of

175 students randomly picked out of the 315 fourth year from the seven (7)

fourth year sections of the Baggao National High school in Baggao, Cagayan.
In a given time, the researcher shall conduct the survey through the

assistance of the class advisers. The researcher shall coordinate with the adviser

for the retrieval of the accomplished questionnaire and submit lately to the

researcher for the immediate analysis and treatment of the data gathered as

stipulated in the questionnaire.

Research Instrument
 32

The researcher will conduct a survey as a research instrument in

gathering data. The questionnaire shall be distributed to all student-respondents

through their class advisers. The survey shall include demographic questions

concerning the frequency of the parents educational attainment in terms of

occupation and course preference of student-respondents, the influences that

affect the respondents preferred course and the factors that affect the

respondents career choice.

The researcher will use the 1-5 scale, 1 as the lowest and 5 as the

highest.
The questionnaire to be used in this study is patterned from the study

conducted by Atienza, R.M., Silvestre, J.D., Tacsay, H., and Torres, M.A. F.

entitled The Effects of Parents Occupation on the Course Preference of the

Fourth Year Students of Rogationist College, School Year 2009-2010". I need

to see the questionnaire first before I can give a substantial

explanation on the items included and modified to suit the statement

of the problem.

Changes in some portions will be made to suit the needed data intended

for this study.

Data Gathering Procedures

The researcher, by the second week of January, 2014 will write letters of

request addressed to the secondary school principal and the class advisers of

fourth year classes for the floating and distribution of questionnaires attaching

therein the questionnaire to be used. A request letter shall also be prepared

 33

addressed to the respondent-students for their participation in providing needed

data for the study.

The researcher will personally float the questionnaire to the respondents

to ensure 100% retrieval and to readily assist the respondents in whatever query

they may ask towards the study.

The questionnaire, upon retrieval from the respondent-teachers will

immediately be subjected for consolidation and analysis ready for interpretation.

Statistical Treatment of Data

In the analysis of the profile of the respondents and the status of the

effects of parents occupation on the course preference of students, the

descriptive statistics shall be used such as simple frequency percentage and

mean will be used to determine the results of the given information from the

questionnaires.
Chi square shall be used to determine if a relationship exist between the

course preference and age, gender, sibling position, parents occupation, parents

educational attainment, and family monthly income.

Analysis shall also aim at determining the effect of the presence or

absence of change agents, including the institution itself as a change agency.