Role of parents in children’s professional self-determination

The article analyzes the role of parents in children’s professional self-determination. The authors conducted a sociological survey among graduates of pedagogical, medical, and technical universities in Yaroslavl. The results showed that key factors in professional self-identification are family values and a reference person, rather than the opinions of friends or advertising in the media. Children from families with a service-oriented mission (e.g., teachers, military personnel, firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers) typically follow their parents’ life path. The majority of students surveyed acknowledged that their parents’ opinion plays an important role in their choice of future education and profession. However, only a small number of parents preferred to stay out of the way when it comes to choosing their children's educational and professional path. The study revealed that the professional goals of most children from doctor’s families coincided with those of their parents. On the other hand, students who entered university under parental coercion were found to have lower academic performance. These students are more likely to suffer from stress, apathy and alcohol dependence compared to those who independently and consciously chose their place of study. Students who, thanks to their parents’ support, actively developed through after-school activities (for example, dance or sports), quickly identified their strengths and weaknesses, and consciously chose their university and future profession. The author notes that medical education is an elite and inherited profession, as many students in medical universities have family members related to medicine. Obviously, in the context of social change, it's difficult to find a stable, well-respected, well-paying job that allows for social connections.