Youth perspectives on parental career influence

The role of parents in youth carter development is generally acknowledged t hough, often, perfunctorily. This inquiry examines youth perceptions of pa rental influence on their career development. We ask young men and women ab out specific career development attitudes and behaviors that bear on their relations with their parents. The sample consists of survey data from 362 h igh school juniors. The results confirm the trend of recent studies that re port compatibility between parent and youth values, aspirations, and plans. Of all the people to whom youth can turn for help with making career plans , most look to their mothers. The findings apply across gender, to young me n as well as young women; and they apply across race, to minority youth as well as majority-culture youth. The results underscore the importance of pa rents as allies and resources for career counselors in facilitating youth c areer development.