EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTING STYLES TO THE CAREER CHOICE OF GRADE 12 HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES STUDENTS IN IMMACULADA CONCEPCION COLLEGE

Abstract

This study examined the influence of parenting styles on the career choices of students in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand. Parenting styles are generally categorized into four main types: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful.

Authoritative parenting encourages independence while allowing for discussions between the parent and child before making a final decision. This style promotes mutual respect and the development of critical thinking in children.

Authoritarian parenting tends to control decision-making, limiting the child's autonomy and stifling their independence.

Permissive parenting allows children too much independence without sufficient guidance, which may sometimes lead to poor decision-making.

Neglectful parenting, marked by a lack of interest and responsiveness, results in impulsive decisions made by the child without proper parental support.

Each of these parenting styles significantly affects the parent-child relationship, particularly in how parents show interest in and respond to their child's career decisions, influencing the child's career choices and overall development. The respondents for this study were Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students at Immaculada Concepcion College. The researchers selected 244 students from the total population through random sampling. The study utilized a descriptive quantitative method and collected data using survey questionnaires distributed via Google Forms. The survey was administered to every section of the HUMSS strand. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions, divided into two domains. A 4-point Likert scale was used for the responses, with Domain 1 questions being answered using an agreement scale, while Domain 2 questions utilized an extent scale to assess the students' perspectives. In this study, the researchers explored the influence of parenting styles on the career choices of Grade 12 students. The results indicated that most students experienced either an authoritative or authoritarian parenting style, with the authoritative style being the most effective and recommended. The authoritative parenting style, which combines high expectations with warmth and guidance, helps children develop self-discipline, confidence, and problem-solving skills, leading to better life and career outcomes. On the other hand, negative parenting styles, such as authoritarian (controlling) or permissive (overly lenient), were found to be associated with poorer academic performance and lower social-emotional well-being, which can negatively impact students' career decisions. The findings of this study have several key implications for different stakeholders. Educators should be aware of the benefits of authoritative parenting, as it plays a significant role in shaping students' academic success and career choices. It is also important for policymakers to consider developing public awareness campaigns or parenting education initiatives that promote authoritative parenting practices, as these have positive effects on students' development.

One limitation of the study is its focus primarily on career success as the outcome measure, without considering other important life outcomes that may be influenced by parenting styles, such as emotional well-being, mental health, or social relationships. Future research could explore these additional factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term impact of different parenting styles on various aspects of life.