The influence of parents on career choice of Swazi children in Kangwane

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to investigate the extent of the influence of Swazi parents on the career choice of their children and also to investigate the factors that prohibit parents from being involved in career guidance of their children. This investigation was prompted by the high rate of unemployment of children after Standard Ten in especially Black societies. Another factor that seemed to be contributing towards this disaster, was the fact that these children lack suitable requirements for a particular career or job. The roaming around of children with their Standard Ten certificates that still left them unemployable became a matter of grave concern for parents. It therefore became necessary for this research to be undertaken so that the role of the parents could be identified regarding career information that need to be known by children. The empirical method with the use of questionnaires was successful in obtaining the required information from both parents and their children. The collected data were analysed and interpreted in the sense that a problem area would easily be identified to indicate whether parents are capable of guiding their children or not. The research findings revealed that parents felt disempowered concerning the career their children would like to pursue. The disempowerment revolved around a lack of suitable education for them to convince their children and also lack of knowledge as far as variety of careers is concerned. Recommendations have therefore been made so that stakeholders and officials can take note of them.