FACTORS AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF HOME ECONOMICS AS A CAREER.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The influence of career choice has a lasting impact on an individual. It serves to be a predictor and determinant of their prospective level of income, nature of work and consequently leaves a mark on the personality, demeanour and outlook of an individual. Thus one wrong decision can change the fate of an individual. It is difficult for everyone to make a decision regarding their career. This individual action is manifested on a larger scale in the economic prosperity of a nation.
Individuals who are misfits in their workplace tend to be less productive and efficient, and therefore are unable to achieve their goals. The concept has been explained by Onyejiaku (as cited in Jones & Larke, 2005), who defines occupation as a means of living, which has the power to change personalities, determine social status, predict expected earnings, determine social groups etc. Thus its importance cannot be undermined. Given its complexity, it is then a point to ponder upon as to how career decisions are made. These are elucidated by Ipaye (as cited in Alemu, 2013) Career choice is one of the biggest dilemma and challenge in any student’s life. It involves interplay of many factors which are intricately intertwined. It is not a straightforward task and involves a difficult process of decision making. This issue is not confined to Pakistan only but is universal in nature. According to Bandura, Barbaranelli, Caprara, and Pastorelli (2001) an individual’s environment, talents, skills, and academic achievement exert an influence on career choice. In case of a wrong choice, it may lead to resultant failure and disappointment. Research shows homes, schools and the social setup influence an individual’s career choice. Financial prospects influence the career choice of men as they have to meet household expenses, whereas women show more concern for social values and utility (Sax, 1994) and other factors including aptitude, life circumstances, and academic achievement.
Gesidle S. A. (1987) defined home Economics as career sequence of occupation, Jobs and positions occupied, during a persons working life. In choosing home economics as a career, one in effect tries to secure knowledge of occupational opportunities existing in their social environment. this involves a decision not only of the bibliographical make up of the individual. But if the acquisition of the basic skills that will enable the individual to cope with the social economic change in their everyday life so as to attain there desired goal. Home economics as a career are relatively a young profession and it is still encountering difficulties in becoming established. Its major problem is employment opportunities and their rapid changing role of the family for education in Nigeria, an investigations was done on the efficiency of the system of vocational training and after which, it was recommended that boys and girls should be given equal chance to study home economics and the need was emphasized to increase and extended home economics as a career to all school and at different levels. Taking home economics as a career is in many mind, a matter of infusion that is using subject area as a means of linking academic discipline with the real world situation. Jaiye Via (1979) is of the opinion that our youth need constant guidance in their choice of career and subjects. It is common knowledge to