INFLUENCE OF CULTURE IN THE CHOICE OF CAREER AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KATSINA-ALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE SATE, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Career Counseling

Download INFLUENCE OF CULTURE IN THE CHOICE OF CAREER AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KATSINA-ALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE SATE and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Career Counseling in PDF only on Docsity!

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study Career selection is one of many important choices students will make in determining future plans; this decision will impact them throughout their lives. This has constituted a problem as students often make wrong choice. Career choice has become a complex science with the advent of information technology, the emergency of post industrial revolution and job competition, as such, education is universally recognised to be the answer to socio-economic problems of the world. Nation and individuals look up to education to provide a clue or possibly, a cure for poverty, ignorance, jobless, hunger, bad governance, poor communication system and inadequate shelter among other things (Ezeani, 2013). The term culture is described as the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. The Centre for Advance Research on Language Acquisition goes a step further, defining culture as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. (Abdul, 2017). Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group. "Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things," Cristina

De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London, told Live Science (Lim, Chavan & Chan , 2014). The word "culture" derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin "colere," which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. "It shares its etymology with a number of other words related to actively fostering growth," De Rossi said (Cai, 2008). Career choice has become a complex science with the advent of information technology, the emergency of post industrial revolution and job competition, as such; education is universally recognised to be the answer to socio-economic problems of the world. Nation and individuals look up to education to provide a clue or possibly, a cure for poverty, ignorance, jobless, hunger, bad governance, poor communication system and inadequate shelter among other things. Every nation of the world aspires towards quality of life and social status. Most student who are in secondary schools do not have adequate information about occupational opportunities to help them make appropriate career choice (Abdul, 2017). This has led to so many swing of career path after graduation from the university. Hence, this has highlighted career selection as one of many important choice students make in determining future plans; these decision will impart them throughout their lives. Hence it is important to figure out the factors or determinant of career choice among secondary school student; so as to see if it can help to guide student to make the right and rational career choice, (Abdul, 2017).

A number of factors have been found by researchers to affect carrier choice, they include; Intrinsic factors, which include interest in the job and job satisfaction. Extrinsic factors, which include job availability and the scope and well paid occupation. Interpersonal factors, which include influence of culture, family and other social and significant group (Aggrawal, 2008). Evidence exists in the research area that shows that there are some other factors that influence the career choices decision of the young people which are widely known as political factors, economical factors, and socio-cultural factors (Aggrawal, 2008). Cultural values indirectly have significant influence over the career choices made by students (Debabi , 2010). This is so because every individual relates himself to other people, to the society or to the particular network of the individuals that forms one’s cultural background. The inclination of the person towards reflecting one’s cultural practices thus places high value on individual choices. For instance in a situation where someone is an only male child in certain family linage, such a person may find it difficult to aspire to become a catholic priest, as he will be required to get married and bear children to sustain the family name. In such a situation, cultural practice would be said to have restrained such a child’s career choice. It is against this backdrop that this work seeks to investigate the influence of culture in the choice of career among Senior Secondary School Students in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem Nigeria is rapidly developing her technological education, which has made the society more complex than it was in the past. The number of occupation has increased greatly and also there are many careers within one occupation. For instance, farming which was a simple occupation some years ago is now a very complex occupation within many careers to choose from. These included poultry, fish, cattle farming etc. The researchers are of the view that culture, the family, peer group, school environment and even the larger society influence the decision any student might make in choosing a life career. This constitutes a problem as students often make wrong choice. In a situation where students fail to make the appropriate choice of career, a lot of problems such as unemployment, youth restiveness, poverty, robbery and corruption will be on the increase in the society. 1.3 Purpose of the study The main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of culture in the choice of career among Senior Secondary School Students in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue sate. The specific objectives include; i. To investigate the influence of religious background on career choice among secondary school students in Katsina-Ala Local Government area.

ii. To investigate the influence of family background on the choice of career among secondary school students in Katsina-Ala Local Government area. iii. Investigate the influence of culture in choice of career among secondary school students in Katsina-Ala Local Government area. 1.4 Research questions This research work sought to provide answers to the following questions: i. What is the influence of religious background on career choice among secondary school students in Katsina-ala Local Government area? ii. To what extent does family background determine the choice of career among secondary school students in Katsina-ala Local Government area? iii. What influence does cultural background have on career choice among secondary school students in Katsina-ala Local Government area? 1.5 Research hypotheses Hypotheses of the study are as follows: i. Religious background has no significant influence on career choice among secondary school students in Katsina-Ala Local Government area. ii. Family background has no significant influence on career choice among secondary school students in Katsina-Ala Local Government area.

iii. Culture has no significant relationship with career choice among secondary school students in Katsina-Ala Local Government area. 1.6 Significance of the study This research work will be of immense benefit to a number of people, they include; secondary school student, parents, career counsellors and researchers. The research will assist students to understand what career is and how culture can influence their choices in selecting their careers. It will further give them options in making career choices. Children tend to learn and accept information more from their parents, social environment and religious gatherings. Hence an uninformed person will tend to mislead or shy away from counselling the student with respect to career choice. This research will therefore educate parents to explore real career possibility of their children and guide them accordingly. Career counsellors will guide and counsel students from their own perspective. The findings of this study will enable the relevant authorities such as school management have a fore knowledge of how culture influences the career choice of students and provide solutions to the challenges. More so, the study will constitute an additional literature to the already existing ones. Thus, researchers who dabble into a related study will find the work useful as a research material. 1.7 Definition of terms

Career choice : The broad opportunities that exist for lifelong vocations. These vocations are set out in a frame work of strategies moving towards personal goals. Culture : the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.0 Introduction This chapter presents theoretical framework, conceptual review and a summary of review of literature. 2.1 Theoretical Framework Donald Super’s Career Developmental Theory This research adopts Donald Super’s theory of career development. Donald E. Super’s career development theory is perhaps the most widely known life-span view of career development (Akume, 2010). Developmental theories recognize the changes that people go through as they mature, and they emphasize a life-span approach to career choice and adaptation. These theories usually partition working life into stages, and they try to specify the typical vocational behaviors at each stage (Akume, 2010). This theory was propounded by Donald Super in 1950s, the dominant assumption was that differing abilities and interests were crucial in determining occupational choice and success. For this reason, career choice counseling was seen primarily as a process of helping individuals match their abilities and other traits with those required by accessible occupations. By applying the matching model, practitioners of career guidance assisted their clients in choosing the right career, that is, the one that is well matched or congruent with an

individual’s abilities, interests, and personality traits. Super recognized the valuable contribution of the trait-and-factor theory and the matching model to vocational theory and guidance practice. But he also believed that they were too static and insufficient in explaining the complexities of career behavior (Akume, 2010). Super proclaimed that career choice should be seen as an unfolding process, not a point-in-the-time decision. Therefore, he proceeded to supplement the trait-and-factor approach by constructing a comprehensive career theory in which career development is seen as a lifelong process unfolding in a series of developmental stages and career selection is not a one- shot decision but the cumulative outcome of a series decisions (Akume, 2010). Super’s theory of career development is relevant to this research because this study aims at investigating how culture influences the development of career among students, hence, the postulations in this theory is relevant in guiding the study to a great extent. This theory will be used to determine if the cultural practice in Katsina-Ala possess particular traits which could influence students’ behaviour and choices. 2.2 Conceptual Framework This section discusses concepts related to the research topic, they include; concept of culture, concept of career choice, importance of career choice decisions and factors that influence career choice.

2.2.1 Concept of Culture There are many different definitions of the word "culture." People often speak of African, English, Chinese, American-Indian, African-American, or other cultures, and they also sometimes use the world “culture” to suggest a level of sophistication. Additionally, they speak of “high culture,” “low culture,” “popular culture,” and “folk culture.” Moreover, there seems to be a wide range of “cultural politics” associated with these definitions as well. So, how should we define culture? Many are content to think of “culture” as the total way of life of a people including language, dress, food, music, religion, family structures, attitudes, values, and beliefs. Others, however, consider “culture” to be products (artifacts) such as paintings, architectural structures, musical works, etc. To them, one can find culture at a concert, a museum, or perhaps a tour of a village, city, or stately home. According to cultural geographer, however, “…culture is a nebulous structure of feelings that define the life of a people and a set of productions art, etc. that reflect upon, speak to, or mold that structure of feeling through various strategies of representation” (Don, 2000). Economics, politics, and society are all intricately tied to culture. “Perhaps,” he suggests, “…culture, is that which is not nature” (Don, 2000). Culture is an intellectual quagmire; both a way-of-life, and a range of practices. Culture is: i. The opposite of nature – it makes humans, human. ii. The actual, but sometimes unexamined, patterns and differentiations of a people (way-of-life).

iii. The processes by which patterns develop “culture” thereby making “culture,” “culture”. iv. A set of markers that set one people off from another (so that we can identify our group). v. The way that all these patterns, processes, and markers are represented, thereby producing meaning. vi. An indication of a hierarchical ordering of all these processes. After considering these definitions, one could not be blamed for concluding that culture is everything, or perhaps, nothing (or at least nothing that is analytically useful). Why is it difficult to precisely define the concept of “culture?” Partly, it is the result of the continuously changing meaning of the word “culture” over time. With each new definition, the meaning of “culture” has become more complex, and this is not an entirely innocent phenomenon. To the contrary, the concept, the word, is a product of a long developmental process greatly influenced by power relationships through which people have sought to make “culture” work to their advantage. Culture is a politically-charged, and sometimes politically-powerful, tool that people often manipulate to gain the upper hand (power), (Wilken, Jacob, & Prime, 2013). At one point, “culture” was used to differentiate between the “good” and the “bad,” or the “cultivated” and the “primitive.” To be “cultured” was to be “civilized” or “refined,” whereas, to be “uncultured” was to be “unruly” or “uncivilized.” By the end of the nineteenth century, Europeans, Americans, and

others, generally used the term “culture” to distinguish between “refined people” and “savages.” In fact, European culture was held up by many (at least in the Western World) as the epitome of all that is good and refined in the world (an idea that is now much maligned). In the last half of the twentieth century, it became increasingly improper for people to describe “culture” in hierarchical terms. Now, many lean toward the notion that different cultures are of equal value, and therefore, should not be subjected to criticism or ridicule (although “scholarly criticism” of traditional European culture is often considered appropriate and deserved). This romanticized concept of “culture” (that cultural practices in general should not be criticized) rests on the belief that “civilization” is material, whereas “culture” is spiritual and symbolic. This way of viewing culture has created many complications for scholars, academics, religious leaders, politicians, and ordinary people. For example, a few years ago, a teacher asked a group of teenage students whether or not the Aztec practice of human sacrifice could be justified because it was an integral part of Aztec culture. A surprising number of students took the position that the Aztec should not be condemned for their cruel, bloody sacrifices, because they truly believed that such behavior was proper. Therefore, “culture” has become an increasingly “relative” concept, (Wilken, Jacob, & Prime, 2013).

2.2.2 Concept of Career Choice Career choice refers to “a decision-making task which involves matching individual needs, motives, values, and talents” (Ezeani, 2013). Brown (2002) proposes career choice process to be the one involving evaluating individual’s abilities, skills and values in the light of the occupations available and how these align with the work values of the available alternatives. The concept of self-realisation is key factor in career selection as most individuals want to do jobs that tend to align with the perceived self-image they have. The key variables that determine or help individuals perceive this image are culture, social class, ability, intelligence and experiences. The basis of Career Choice is on the fact that humans learn significantly from their environment and experiences and how they have influenced them as an individual. These experiences and influences may include a culture, family, teacher, mentor, a hobby or just observing others do a certain job. This eventually drives individual’s choice of career. Career exploration is very crucial topic when it comes to career choices. Self exploration which is the exploration of the “self” and exploration of the environment which is environmental exploration are part of career exploration (Ezeani, 2013 ). In self-exploration one explores one’s own interests, experiences and values to understand one’s own need and calibre for the career match. Where as in Environmental exploration; exploring the options in the market by seeking information on organizations, jobs, occupations, and

industries to make better career decisions is involved (World Health Organization, 2015). The combination of exploring of one self and the environment provide information about how the individual’s skills and abilities align with certain occupations. The combination of self and the environment inform the individual about how well the two align and this helps them develop the Personal environment fit and help advance their career (Gregory, Munch & Peterson, 2002). The independent-selfconsists of key internal aspects such as abilities, motives, values and intelligence and they are unique to every individual. The individual then behaves in certain ways due to these characteristics. On the other hand, the interdependent-self learns from a social context i.e. the environment which is based on experience on observing others and experiencing others’ characteristics and emotions (Farooqui, & Nagendra, 2014). It is the interaction of many factors and complex relationships that bring out the career development. In this process the personal theories are being developed by the individual. These theories are being used to respond to the others around by the human being (Tafarodi & Smith, 2001). The rhetorical responsive social constructionism given by the Somech, defines it as a way of acting and talking that can influence the action of the people. He finds that everyone writes their own individuality and interests as, knowledgeable, reflexive and socially responsible agents, which influences this crucial decision of career choice (Somech, 2000). Structural factors and the human agency both

of these should be thoroughly studied and understood by the researcher before working on career. The structural aspect of individual hinders our understanding related to multi- dimensionality and complexity if over-relied on, which is vital in the operation at all levels like individual, environmental and relational while understanding the career developmental process (Tafarodi & Smith, 2001). Farooqui, & Nagendra, (2014) describe the interaction between contextual factors and specific internal (individual) factors in the process of shaping the career. 2.2.3 Importance of Career Choice Decisions Research shows that the younger generation are working to live their life rather than living for the work (Somech, 2000). Just because of that the term career anchors has emerged which can be defined as ones self-concept incorporating perceived career related talents, values, abilities motivations and needs. Broadly these career anchors are creativity, autonomy, security, stability, competency and independence. An employee always wants to balance between his work and personal life so that there is no need for him to keep hopping on the jobs for his comforts. Individuals also liable to get influenced from their families’ choices related to their occupational choices (Ohadoma, 2014). Family also affects the decision to change their job or go for geographical transfers, or even to depart from an organization forever (Brown, 2007). The career choices is the decision in the individual’s life that is influenced by multiple factors which includes cultural values, family background, personal attitude and career expectations and many more (Ohadoma, 2014).

2.2.4 Factors that Influence Career Choice It is hard to understand and predict if there are number of factors that influence it in different ways. The occupational selection, or in other words career choice, has many competing theories but the best to understand is that it is the game between these three; i. Culture or the social world. ii. Contextual factors iii. Individual agency. Except for a few studies, there is very limited research done in the area of career choices of students in Katsina-ala and the factors affecting the career choices of students in Katsina-ala. Therefore this topic is worth exploring as there is very limited data related to the factors influencing career choice of students in the study area. Within the studies that have been done to explore the factors influencing the career choices of the students, three-dimensional framework is the most widely used model which describes three factors: i. Intrinsic factors, which include interest in the job and job satisfaction. ii. Extrinsic factors, which include job availability and the scope and well paid occupation and iii. Interpersonal factors, which include influence of culture, family and other social and significant group (Aggrawal, 2008). Evidence exists in the research area that shows that there are some other factors that influence the career choices decision of the young people which are widely

known as political factors, economical factors, and socio-cultural factors (Aggrawal, 2008). i. Relations as factor: The relationships have been influencing the decision of career choice in one’s life. Human functioning has many dimensions and the relationship constitutes the major part of it. In recent years the interest to know and understand the relationship between the relationships and the career is been shown by the researchers (Aggrawal 2008). Many investigations done within this subject focus on the aspect that the relations and your associations strongly influence your career mobility and progression. The role of relationships in forming the decision of career choices has been ignored for many years. So there is a need to do the research in this area and even explore further the different types of relationships that affect this decision and why and how. The relative influence of different relationships and the importance of those relationships in making career choices like (mother, father, relatives, colleagues, etc.) need to be explored in management students (Aggrawal 2008). ii. Cultural factors : The thought process and the behaviour of the person are directly influenced by the culture he/she is surrounded by. Cultural values also indirectly have an influence the relationships which in turn have an impact on career choices (Wilken, Jacob, & Prime, 2013). The first empirically measured I/C (Individualism Vs Collectivism) dimension, by Hofstede, describes that every individual relates himself to other people, to the society or to the

particular network of the individuals to which they have emotional and cognitive attachment. Hofstede’s empirical index explains the dimensions, developed countries like the UK, USA etc. group towards individualistic side where as Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan and India group toward collectivistic side. “Individualism” mentions the inclination of the person towards reflecting on own ideas and interest and thus place high value on individual actions and independence/self-reliance. “Collectivism” mentions tendency of a person to include them as a part of some larger group and give values to the interests of that group and its group member (Aggrawal 2008). Limited Research is investigated to find a link between differential roles of mentor, colleagues, managers or peers in career decision-making. But all related research investigates that there is a positive link between all of these (family, individualism peer relatedness and collectivism (Gokuladas, 2010). 2.3 Empirical Studies A research conducted by Ohadoma in 2014, titled “Determinant of career choice among secondary school students in Lagos state” was reviewed for this study. The aim of the investigation was to find out if there exists some significant relationship between gender, home background and student learning outcome on student’s choice of career. It was also the intension of the researcher to identify some of the parental factors that influence student’s educational aspiration, such as: Educational and professional background, Economic factor, occupational and cultural factors.

To accomplish the task, questionnaires were distributed and data collected. The total number of 110 students was administered to in the four schools used for the study. Information concerning students’ career choice and parent’s occupation and educational background, Economic status and cultural background were derived from the questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using mean and frequency analysis. The study found that students that involved their parents no matter what their income and background are more likely to make more rational career choice. Also parents who are actively involved in their children education, helps to guide the children career choice. The relationship between the reviewed study and the present study is that they both investigated factors relating to career choice among secondary school students and both studies collected data through questionnaires. Ezeani, (2013) did a research titled “Career Choice: A Basic Issue in Primary and Secondary School Level”. The paper examined the conceptual models in career, the role of school towards the students, career education in primary and secondary schools, and their subjects. Also, this paper tries to restate the basic issues that affect the career choice of primary and secondary school students in choosing their life career. The study sampled 100 respondents selected from five secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti. At the end of the study it was found that educational background, parental upbringing, culture and social background were responsible for choice of career choice among secondary school students. Both the review and the present study

found that, family, culture and social background influences career choice among secondary school students. The reviewed study and the current study used secondary school students as well as both primary and secondary data collection techniques. Abdul, (2017) wrote on the “Role of Cultural Values in Career Choice”. The paper presents a conceptual framework on the role of cultural values in career choice. It focused on the cultural context of career choice. The total number of 200 secondary school students was used as sample for the study. It assumes that people from different cultures may have their own principles for choosing a career. Therefore, both individualistic and collectivistic cultural values which have an important impact on individuals’ career choice are discussed in this paper. Individuals’ decisions to choose or not to choose a particular career might be caused by their cultural values. Whereas people’s negative perceptions of any occupational choice could lead to a shortage of professional supply, a true understanding of cultural values is useful for promoting and enhancing the image of professions to people in a specific country (or culture) in order to ensure the availability of required professionals in the labour market. The relationship between the reviewed study and the present study is that they both made use of secondary school students as samples and the role of cultural background as it influences career choice was the major subject matter and both studies found that cultural background is a major influence of career choice determination.

Gurminder (2014) researched on “The Influence of Family and Cultural Values on the Career Development of Asian Americans” This study aimed to examine the role of parents’ career expectations, quality of the parent-young adult relationship, acculturation levels, adherence to traditional Asian cultural values, and career-related values on the career choices of Asian American young adults. Although there have been some inconsistent findings regarding influences on career choice of Asian Americans, the data seems to suggest that parents’ career expectations, adherence to traditional cultural values, and importance of extrinsic values are linked with career decisions of this population in some way. The study attempted to expand on Sandhu’s (2011) earlier study with South Asian Americans, and examine these factors in the general Asian American young adult population. One main hypothesis of this study was that parents’ career expectations are highly linked with Asian American young adults’ career choices, and this was measured using prestige levels of the parents’ career expectations (per the young adult’s report) as well as their own reported likely/expected career choice. Prestige levels of these reported variables were coded using the Duncan Socioeconomic Index. Additionally, other family variables including support/depth and conflict in the parent-young adult relationship, as well as process variables of acculturation level, adherence to traditional Asian cultural values, and career- related values were also tested as predictors of prestige of the young adult’s

expected career choice. In this study, 22% of the sample identified broadly as Asian American, 20.2% of the sample identified as South Asian/Indian American, 19.1% identified as Vietnamese American, and less than 10% identified with each of the other subgroups. At the end of the research, it was concluded that Conflict in family relationships, adherence to cultural values, and acculturation levels are all associated with the young adult’s aspirations. The reviewed and present study is related, for the fact that they both investigate the influence of culture on career choice. They both conclude that family background and adherence to cultural values influences career choice. 2.4 Summary of Review of Related Literature This chapter presents a critical review of works related to this research, beginning with the review of Donald Super’s developmental theory which is reviewed for this study. The theory is relevant to this research because this study aims at investigating how culture influences the development of career among students, hence, the postulations in this theory is relevant in guiding the study to a great extent. This theory will be used to determine if the cultural practice in Katsina-Ala possess particular traits which could influence students’ behaviour and choices. A conceptual review was also done, reviewing the concept of culture as well as the concept of career choice. The importance of career choice decision was also discussed and factors affecting career choice.

A review of empirical studies was also done, it reviewed four works done by previous researchers on the subject matter, the studies include; A research conducted by Ohadoma in 2014, titled “Determinant of career choice among secondary school students in Lagos state”, another done by Ezeani, (2013) titled “Career Choice: A Basic Issue in Primary and Secondary School Level”. A work done by Abdul, (2017) who wrote on the “Role of Cultural Values in Career Choice” was also reviewed. The empirical review concluded with a review of a work done by Gurminder (2014) who researched on “The Influence of Family and Cultural Values on the Career Development of Asian Americans”.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction This chapter seeks to explain the methodology employed in this research. The following items makes up the chapter; research design, scope of the study, area of the study, population of the study, sample size and sampling techniques, instrument for data collection, validation of instrument and method of data analysis. 3.1 Research Design This research employed the survey research design, which according to Adikwu, Aduloju & Emaikwu (2013) is concerned with the collection of data for the purpose of describing and interpreting existing conditions on practices, beliefs, attitudes, point of views that are held, processes that are going on etc. This design is suitable for this study because this research seeks to investigate how an already existing culture of the people of katsina-Ala Local government area affects the choice of career made by secondary school students. The findings from this sample were generalized to the entire population. 3.2 Scope of the study

The contextual scope is focused on the influence of culture on career choice among senior secondary school students. Geographically, Katsina-Ala local government area was used for the study. 3.3 Area of Study The geo-political entity called Katsina-Ala local government came into being in 1970, alongside two others from the then Tiv Native Authority, with headquarters at Katsina-Ala. It has since then undergone series of political restructuring, the most recent being the last state and local government creation exercise in October 1996 which resulted in the carving out of Logo local government out of it. Kwande and Ukum local government areas were also carved out of Katsina-Ala local government during the previous state and local government creation exercises. Katsina-Ala local government lies some 126 km away from Makurdi, the state capital in the eastern part of the North and Northeast respectively, Takum/Ussa (Taraba state) to the East, Kwande and Ushongo local government to the South and Southwest respectively and Buruku local government to the west. The local government lies in the Guinea Savannah vegetation while the eastern portion consists of undulating hills with shrubs. Annual rainfall