Stakeholders advise parents against imposing career choice on children

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2018 World Teachers Day, teachers and other relevant stakeholders have urged parents not to impose career choices on their wards.

They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

According to them, many parents and guardians impose choice of courses of study and careers on their children even when they have no passion and flair for such careers.

They therefore advised that parents and guardians’ roles should be to give advice, guide, and support to allow their wards take responsibility in pursuing their dream career.

Mrs Florence Obans, a Guidance Counselor said: “A child is supposed to choose his career because in the long run, the child is responsible for himself.

“He knows what he wants to do, and has his personal ability to think, relate and adapt to any situation.

“If a parent chooses and compels a child to pursue a particular course, at the end of the day, the child might end up unfulfilled.

“We have seen situations where children studied courses in the university because that was what their parents wanted, and ended up practicing what they are passionate about at the end of the day,” she note.

Mr Olawale Aladesuyi, a father said, “I can allow my child choose a career for himself, and my duty is just to guide him.’’

“Every child has talents and passion that are pointers to their career parts, and they only need mentoring and guidance for them to follow the right path.”

A secondary school teacher, Mr Ike Alistair said that children ought to make their career choices but not without the support and advice of their parents.

“The parents are the ones to give the financial commitment, so they must be allowed to give direction as well, especially when the child is still very young.

“If a parent should choose a career for the child, and he or she fails in that area, the child will blame the parent.

“The parent should advice because they are more advanced and experienced,” he said.

A young graduate, Mr David Ityu, explained that he once had a conflict of interests with his parents.

“Actually, my mother wanted me to study engineering because my father is an engineer, and I am the only son.

“However, I studied philosophy, although my father was not happy about it, he later accepted my choice and gave his support,” he said.

NAN reports that the World Teachers’ Day, which started in 1994, is held annually on Oct. 5.

It is focused on “appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world” and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.