Parental Influence on Vocational Choice Among Senior Secondary School Students in Owerri, Imo State

The influence of family on adolescent vocational development has been extensively documented in Western literature, yet Nigerian studies examining specifically parental dynamics within the South East context remain sparse. This study investigated the influence of parental factors on vocational choices among Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students in Owerri, Imo State. A descriptive survey design was used, with 310 students selected from ten co-educational secondary schools through stratified random sampling. The Parental Influence on Vocational Choice Questionnaire, adapted and validated for this study, was administered alongside the Vocational Preference Inventory. Data were analysed using frequency tables, mean scores, and independent samples t-tests. Results showed that parental educational background significantly influenced students' vocational preferences, with children of university-educated parents more inclined toward professional fields such as medicine, law, and engineering. Parental occupation was also a significant predictor, reinforcing occupational inheritance patterns. Mothers were found to exercise greater day-to-day influence over vocational discussions compared to fathers. The study identified a mismatch between student interest and parental expectation in 43 percent of cases, suggesting potential for future career dissatisfaction. Counsellors were recommended to facilitate family-inclusive career guidance sessions that honour student autonomy while engaging parental perspectives constructively. Government was advised to incorporate parental education into community counselling outreach programmes. Keywords: parental influence, vocational choice, secondary school students, Owerri, career guidance.