THE IMPACT OF FAMILY BACKGROUND ON THE OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATIONS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the impact of family background and occupational aspirations of secondary school students in Umuahia Local Government Area of Abia State. The researcher makes use of ten (10) secondary schools, which were selected randomly within the sample population in Umuahia Local Government. Questionnaire was used to gather information from hundred respondents (students). Percentages was used to present the research questions while chi-square method was used to analyze the hypotheses. The finding shows that, there is no significant relationship between socio-economic status of parents and occupational aspirations of students. Also, there is significant relationship between parental educational attainments and career choices of students. It was further discovered that, there is no significant relationship between parental occupation and students’ career choices. And lastly, there is significant relationship in the academic achievement of students from monogamous family and polygamous family in career choices. On the basis of the findings, the following recommendations were made: that the government should provide a learning environment for the school such as, well structured building, ventilated classrooms, well equipped laboratories and libraries e.t.c. which will motivate the students to learning, thereby influencing their career choices. Parents should also encourage their children to go to school and provide them with necessary materials.