Adolescent Career Aspiration and Parental Influence: A Case Study in Kogi State

This study investigates the relationship between parental influence and career aspirations among adolescents in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. Career development during adolescence is shaped by a complex interplay of individual interests, family expectations, socioeconomic context, and cultural norms. In Kogi State, where diverse ethnic groups including the Igala, Ebira, and Okun coexist, parental influence on career choice operates differently across community settings. This research employed a descriptive survey design and recruited 380 SS2 students from twelve secondary schools in Lokoja, Okene, and Kabba through stratified random sampling. The Career Aspiration Scale and the Parental Influence on Career Scale were used to collect data. Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA were the primary analytical tools. Results reveal that parental educational attainment and occupational prestige significantly predict adolescents' career aspirations, with higher-educated parents more likely to encourage professional careers in medicine, law, and engineering. Qualitative comments indicate that cultural expectations, particularly gender roles, restrict the career aspirations of female adolescents from certain ethnic communities. The study recommends that school counsellors in Kogi State implement career education programmes that broaden students' awareness of non-traditional occupational pathways and challenge restrictive gender-based career norms. Keywords: career aspiration, parental influence, adolescents, Kogi State, gender roles.