Parental Involvement in Career Decision-Making After Class 10: A Qualitative Exploration

Career decision-making involves the process of exploring alternatives, comparing them, and making informed choices about future career paths. Parental involvement, defined as the active participation of parents in their children’s education and career-related decisions, plays a critical role in shaping students’ higher studies and career choices. This study examines the dynamics of parental involvement in the career decision-making process of Class 10 students in Kerala, an Indian state undergoing significant social and cultural transformations in parent-child relations and career aspirations. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 27 parents from five government schools in Kerala, following a career guidance program. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed six key themes. The themes are indicative of parents’ growing trust in their children’s decision-making abilities, the influential role of elder siblings, the impact of peer and senior networks, a strong preference for the science stream, a mixed attitude towards student migration, and a complex patriarchal control in decision-making. Parental influence emerged as a complex interplay of financial concerns, societal expectations, indirect decision-making strategies, and parental insecurities. The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive career guidance programs that address the choices and concerns of both parents and students. These insights are particularly relevant in Kerala’s evolving educational landscape, where global trends and local contexts intersect to redefine career decision-making processes.