INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL FACTORS ON CHILDREN'S GENDER IN CAREER CHOICE

The study investigated influence of parental factors on their children's gender in career choice. The study was conducted in the North-East Senatorial District of Benue State, Nigeria. Two research questions and one hypothesis guided the study which used a survey design. A sample of 100 UTME candidates, comprising 50 males and females each, was selected randomly. The instrument of the study was developed by the researchers and validated by experts. A reliability index of 0.81 was determined through Cronbach alpha statistics. Data analysis was conducted using means and standard deviations at 2.50 cut off mark, while t-test was used to test a null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that both male and female gender disagree parental factors influenced career choice in all cases, in the North-East Senatorial District of Benue State. Based on the results of the study, it was recommended that parents should not force their children to choose careers which they do not have passion, interest or ability for.