October-December, 2024, Volume:04, Issue:04 Pages:69-78

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ANALYSIS OF PREFERENCE PATTERNS AMONG STUDENTS AND
PARENTS FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM PRIVATE
GRADE IX STUDENTS OF KARACHI
Maliha Abdul Mujeeb1, **Professor Dr Muhammad Yousuf Sharjeel2
1
B.Ed. Research Scholar-College of Education, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences,
Ziauddin University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
2
Director Postgraduate Studies-College of Education, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences,
Ziauddin University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article History: Parents of Grade IX students can influence their child’s decision for
Received: October 02, 2024
academic specialization either positively or negatively. Parents’
backgrounds, social networks, career expectations, and their
Revised: October 29, 2024 perceptions of what fields are better for their child’s future affects
Accepted: November 01, 2024 their decision. As numerous influences are affecting the
Available Online: November 04, 2024 psychodynamics of student preferences and parental stimulus, it is
essential to understand the link between them. This research’s aim is
Keywords: to analyze preference patterns of students and parents for academic
Preference Patterns specialization at the high school or secondary education level. The
researchers used a mixed-methods methodology, combining
Students & Parents
qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The
Academic Specialization Evidence quantitative module involved surveying students and parents using
Private Grade IX Students structured questionnaires, while the qualitative module covered open-
Karachi
ended questions with students and parents. This study’s findings about
parents’ preference patterns in academic specialization revolved
Funding: around themes such as their child’s personal characteristics and
This research journal (PIIJISS) doesn't interests; financial constraints; social and cultural influences;
educational factors; future prospects; stability and success; own
receive any specific grant from any funding
background, regrets, and desires; personal experiences. In addition
agency in the public, commercial, or not- to this, findings about students’ preference patterns followed themes
for-profit sectors. such as personal interests, financial considerations, career stability
and security, social influences, limited family influence, educational
Copyrights: factors, self-actualization and independence. The study discussed how
Copyright Muslim Intellectuals Research understanding these preference patterns could benefit various
Center. All Rights Reserved © 2021. This
stakeholders. Additionally, this study investigated the inconsistencies
between students’ and parents’ perceptions and ideologies regarding
work is licensed under a Creative academic specialization choices in the Grade IX students of private
Commons Attribution 4.0 International schools in Karachi. The study recommends educators and
License. policymakers various ways to address these inconsistencies by
formulating effective strategies to create supported communication
between the different stakeholders.
**Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Navigating and selecting a field of specialization for IX Grader is thought to be a critical aspect. The notion
is that a student’s entire academic life trajectory and future career would depend on this important decision.
This study will be working on the aforementioned notion. For academic specialization, careful consideration
of various factors is required, such as individual interests and strengths, parental influence, and future career
aspirations (Cannon et al., 2006). For a student just entering grade IX, this is an arduous task. Their
socioeconomic backgrounds, academic abilities and interests, and their personality all play a part. These are
all internal factors that shape a student’s resolutions (McQuaid & Bond, 2003). Some actors such as the

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Analysis of Preference Patterns Among Students and Parents for Academic Specialization: Evidence from
Private Grade IX Students of Karachi

physical environment, the execution style of the RESEARCH QUESTIONS

subject, the subject teacher’s personality; all have a
strong impact on students’ attitude and behavior 1. What are the primary factors influencing the
towards a particular subject (Curran & Rosen, 2006). academic specialization choices of Grade IX
Subject interest, job opportunities, peer and parental students and their parents in private schools in
influence, mindset regarding the educational Karachi?
institutions’ reputation, the fees, scholarship 2. How do parental preferences for academic
opportunities, foreign collaborations, and specialization align with those of their children?
qualifications of the faculty are all factors that 3. Are there any significant incongruities or
underpin the decision of a student (Ikonen et al., deviations between the student and parental
2017; Codrioli, 2017; Ahmed et al., 2017; Bashir et preferences?
al., 2013; Tripney et al., 2010). While Grade IX
private school students are the main players in this JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
scenario, grappling with these deliberations, they are
not alone. Parents can influence their child’s decision While existing research offers valuable insights,
for academic specialization (Al-Rfou, 2013). While there are gaps in the literature that this study aims to
this should be positive, parents’ backgrounds, social address. First, most studies focus on university
networks, career expectations, and their perceptions students, neglecting the crucial decision point of
of what fields are better for their child’s future Grade IX specialization in Pakistan. Second, limited
(Bandura et al., 2001) could sometimes negatively research explores the specific dynamics between
affect the decision. student preferences and parental influence in the
Pakistani context. This study’s aim is to bridge the
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM divide by analyzing the preference patterns of both
students and parents in Karachi, Pakistan, regarding
This study investigated the possible inconsistencies specialization choices in Grade IX.
between students’ and parents’ perceptions and “This Hadith is from the miracles of
ideologies regarding academic specialization choices prophet-hood (nubuwwah), for these two
in the Grade IX students of private schools in types of people now exist. This Hadith also
Karachi. Seeing as numerous influences are affecting condemns these two actions.” (Sharh of
the psychodynamics of student preferences and Nawawi on Sahih Muslim, P. 1603)
parental stimulus, it is essential to understand the link The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him
between them. Further complicating this process is peace) envisaged the situation of certain individuals
the increased competition in the job market, and their actions, thus informed his companions
globalization, and the challenges of traversing this (Allah be pleased with them) and us about them. Thus,
landscape of subject choices (Edwards & Quinter, the moral of the Hadith is to abstain and refrain from
2011). Matching their abilities, with what they want these actions, for they lead one to the fire of Hell.
to be and what they have to study is a difficult choice,
as schools might not offer their choice of subjects or THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
compulsorily offer subjects they do not like.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This researchers’ aim was to analyze preference

patterns of students and parents for academic
specialization at the high school or secondary
education level. This research aimed to identify the
internal and external factors affecting student and
parental preferences for academic specialization. It
will also analyze the potential incongruities or
deviations between the student and parental
preferences, if any, and explore the rationale behind
these incongruities.

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(An International Journal of Islamic and Social Sciences) Vol 04, Issue 04 (October-December 2024)
This framework acknowledges and explores the instant job prospects or occupational training,
complex interplay of internal and external factors viewing them as more achievable or necessary for
influencing the subject specialization in private upward mobility. They may inspire their children to
Grade IX students and parents. It categorizes the follow trades or technical skills that can lead to steady
factors into independent, dependent, mediating and employment. Based on their own educational and
moderating variables, providing a roadmap to career experiences, parents make decisions. If they
understanding the decision-making process. This will have had a positive experience in the STEM field,
help us understand the interplay of student interests they tend to want their children to pursue the field
and parental pressures, along with what shapes or while a negative experience such as lack of
influences them. It draws upon insights from various profitability or significant hurdles causes them to
research articles. This framework proposes that the steer away from such fields. Parents also prioritize
primary drivers of subject choice are the student’s stability and financial safety for their children,
own interests and the parental pressure. There are especially in uncertain economic climates. They may
certain mediating factors that indirectly influence force their children to select subjects supposed to lead
both these drivers, and shape the perceptions that lead to secure, well-paying jobs, such as engineering,
to subject selection. Mediating factors explain the nursing, or computer science. Financial factors, such
‘how’ behind the independent variables’ influence. as the family's financial state or worries about the
For students, the subject interest and the perceived cost of education, can also affect parents' emphasis
usefulness of a subject to fulfill their future on subjects that they consider to offer a clear path to
aspirations and to gain a stable employment with an employment and financial stability
expected income are mediators that are in the back of
their minds. For instance, a learner in Karachi may LITERATURE REVIEW
notice that by becoming a doctor, he/she would have
a stable job and income. Thus, they would lean Deciding on a field of specialization in Grade IX is
towards the medical field. Another factor that links to an important moment for students around the world,
this perception is parental influence. By seeing their and even in Pakistan. Their decision could strongly
parents in a particular career or having/not having affect their trajectory in academia and future career.
opted subjects, students may form a pre-conceived Unfortunately, steering through this choice could be
notion of their own subjects and careers. difficult, influenced by a multitude of factors.
This is also quite often in Pakistan dictated by the Another very important factor witnessed in literature
social class of the student. Those in lower classes will had been parental influence and in general, societal
have different perceptions about jobs and incomes, or influence. Parental expectations and career advice, be
parental influences. For example, students who have it based on their own experiences or the society’s
grown up seeing their parents and family members demand, is a crucial element to consider. (Sheng,
tinkering with ICT and gadgets most likely choose 2015; Ikonen et al., 2017). The parents or family’s
Physics, Maths and ICT; those who have politicians socioeconomic background could affect the type of
as parents will go for Political Sciences and guidance parents offer (Davies et al., 2008). It had
Psychology. Overarching all these are the student’s been interesting to note that working-class parents
abilities, personality and their intrinsic motivation. encouraged less gender-stereotypical choices. From
Parents' educational backgrounds can form their an external source, students were also greatly
hopes for their child's academic success and career prejudiced by parental expectations and guidance
paths. High parent expectations can encourage (Al-Rfou, 2013; Broekemier & Seshadri (2000);
learners to excel academically and pursue aspiring Soria & Stebleton (2013). Parents' backgrounds,
career goals. However, impractical or overly social networks, and career experiences could all
demanding hopes can also create stress and pressure shape their perceptions of suitable fields of study for
for children, leading to academic exhaustion or their children and they may push their children
disengagement. How strong the relationship is towards those aspirations and societal expectations.
between the independent and dependent variables is (Bandura et al., 2001; Sarwar & Masood, 2015).
influenced by the moderating factors. They change Financial limitations occasionally restricted subject
the effect the independent variable has on the or specialization options, as parents would give
dependent variable. On the contrary, parents from preference to those streams that have better job
lower social classes may select subjects that offer prospects and earning potential (Al-Rfou, 2013). If

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Analysis of Preference Patterns Among Students and Parents for Academic Specialization: Evidence from
Private Grade IX Students of Karachi
the parental preference and students’ aspirations did the development of maladaptive perfectionism,
not align, it might lead to conflict, misunderstandings which has been linked to worse academic outcomes
and ultimately hinder the future of the child (Al- Finally, it was related with an increased sense of
Rfou, 2013). Moreover, students' understanding of power in children. This sense of entitlement could
their own strong suits and weaknesses might be diminish children's intrinsic motivation and lead
developing in Grade IX, potentially leading to them to depend on others, like their parents, to help
conflicting views with their parents. Peer pressure, them with academic work. Research suggested that
school environment and social norms also played an this self-regulatory outsourcing could decrease
important part (Brown, 1990; Ryan, 2000). motivation and effort.
Studies had acknowledged several issues that could The most commended time for career counselling
contribute to these differences. Firstly, a lack of services was found to be when students had just
communication between parents and students. passed their secondary school exams and were about
Students might not be fully aware of the available to enroll in high school, where they would be
options or the harsh realities of different career paths. choosing their subjects. On the foundation of this, the
Moreover, lack of availability of career counsellors writers concluded that parents should be involved in
poses a hurdle for learners to make informed the career counselling sessions that must occur in the
decisions about their professions (Din et al., 2014). high school stage. In their study, researchers explored
Due to online jobs, students struggle to identify areas what reasons influenced students’ decision to select
for specialization that can have strong prospects Accounting for a two-year college program major.
(Edwards & Quinter, 2011). Schools may hold career The investigators interviewed accounting students to
guidance programs to inform students of valuable study the impact of variables such as career
career paths by providing them with accurate prospects, family and friends, and remunerations
information. According to research, schools do not potential on learners' choice of accounting as their
usually host such programs. Hipkins & Vaughan major. The discoveries exposed that career prospects,
(2002) and Beggs et al. (2008) also state in their stature, and the fascinating nature of the subject had
research that information regarding jobs and relevant a weighty impact on students' resolution to major in
subjects is important to be accessible for the students accounting. Nonetheless, the study found no effect of
through career guidance counsellors. gender or category of high school education on
Davies & Ercolani (2019) and Rodeiro (2007) students' decision to major in accounting.
highlighted the part of schools and curriculum Many studies in education found factors affecting
offerings in shaping subject selections. Other than the subject choices of female learners in higher education
subjects offered, the teacher also played a vital role in India. The study, conducted at a university in
as an influencer, along with the counsellor and Delhi, found that the family and school were the key
heads. In a study, it was found that boys and girls factors shaping women's subject choices. Shafina
choose unlike educational streams. Their main (2020) explored the effect of gender in higher
argument was that both genders had some inherent, tutelage subject selection in the Maldives. The
in-built, or preconceived notion of expectations as to research conducted a student survey and policy
what was appropriate for each gender. Among review to explore what reasons influence enrolment
possible contrivances, helicopter parenting may patterns. In another study yet, scrutinize hovering
diminish children's inherent incentive to learn-- parents for building maladaptive strategies to attain
exacerbating the promotion of higher extrinsic perfection in college students. On a completely
motivation (e.g., parents’ endorsement and scores). opposing note, another study explored the role of
Previous research has demonstrated the superiority of parents in their learner’s pronouncement to study
intrinsic motivation (i.e., mastery goals) over abroad during college.
extrinsic motivation and performance goals to Bashir, Hassan & Pasha (2013) explored and
academic achievement. analyzed various internal and external factors
Another aspect that may give to the negative sway of influencing learners’ decisions in academic
helicopter parenting on academics is having critical specializations. Their research was conducted in
family environment. Helicopter parenting was linked Pakistan, India and Malaysia. Ming (2010)
with children's reflection that their parentages do not emphasized that communication with the prospective
give them unqualified optimistic honour. This could students was very important and that would take
augment children's extrinsic motivation and lead to different forms. It could be advertising on various
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PAKISTAN ISLAMICUS
(An International Journal of Islamic and Social Sciences) Vol 04, Issue 04 (October-December 2024)
social media platforms, visits to the schools or The existing research provides a strong base, but it
opportunities for the prospective students to visit the mainly focuses on Western or European contexts.
respective campus. Saeed & Ehsan (2010) also found The current research base and limited studies
that students focus on branding the school or college. primarily in the Pakistani context focuses on
Their research yielded some factors such as, name of university or college-level specialization choices,
the institution, research and collaborative overlooking the important juncture of Grade IX.
opportunities, qualifications of the teachers, and Studies like Sarwar & Masood (2015) offer a starting
availability of resources. Shahid et al. (2012) found point, but further research is needed to understand
that in Pakistan, word-of-mouth played a very how the broader factors identified in universal
important role in almost all spheres of life, but research play out in Karachi’s socio-economic and
especially in schooling systems. People based their cultural context. The gaps in the literature boil down
decisions of choosing a school, or subjects, on the to two. First, most studies in the Pakistani context
experiences of others rather than what was being focus on University students or public schools and
advertised. If they found that in higher grades of their second, there is limited research on the dynamics
school, the Biology teacher is not well qualified or a between student preferences and parental influence in
friend’s child complained that the Economics Sir the Pakistani context. I aim to investigate and address
does not teach well, they would not opt for those the myriad factors and the nuanced understanding of
subjects. Same habit is found in students as well, who the preference patterns in the academic specialization
rely on their peers and schoolfellows’ experience and within Karachi’s context, bridging these gaps, for
advice. If a friend found a subject difficult when they Karachi’s unique socio-economic context.
had studied it, the student would automatically Local research on Karachi's secondary schools can
assume that they would find it difficult too. Ijaz et al. provide valuable insights (e.g., Omodi, 2013). The
(2011) also explored the perceptions of students specific educational context of Karachi, Pakistan,
about choice between public and private schools. His requires further exploration. Research by Sarwar &
research indicated that most students in Pakistan Masood (2015) on Pakistani business graduates
were of the viewpoint that public institutions offered suggests cultural and societal factors may influence
better scholarship opportunities, collaboration career and specializations choices. Akintade (2012)
schemes with foreign institutions, lower fees, and demonstrates the importance of considering local
above all, the faculty was selected on a strict contexts when examining subject selection patterns.
qualifications basis, whereas private institutions Sheng (2015) states that culture and religion have an
occasionally hire lower qualified staff in order to cut effect on subject selection. This is a potential aspect
down on salary expense, despite the exorbitant fees for research in Karachi. The socioeconomic attributes
they charge. of residents in Karachi affect their access to quality
According to Ahmed, Sharif & Ahmad (2017), after education. The research may focus on understanding
statistically analyzing the data from 120 students in how the students in Karachi perceive career
Karachi, it was found that students remained opportunities in different fields with a focus on how
frustrated when an incorrect decision was taken social inequalities, gender stereotypes and parental
concerning specializations subjects. Tripney et al. preference affects the student agency. This research will
(2010) felt it essential to understand the particular
combination of subjects students opted for, as that RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
may be affected by parents, society or gender
differences, so the choices and their pros and cons Research Design
must be properly informed to the relevant parties. The research uses a mixed-methods methodology,
Codrioli (2017) also felt that there was a definite where we combine qualitative and quantitative data
dearth of students who were opting for STEM, and collection and analysis methods. The quantitative
this was a major concern, seeing as advancements are module involves surveying students and parents
being made by the minute in it. Continuing the train using structured questionnaires, while the qualitative
of thought, Ikonen et al. (2017) studied Finnish ninth module covers open-ended questions with students,
grade students and reported that socializers, such as parents, and school counselors. The study employs a
friends, parentages and counselors perform a major descriptive survey design, aiming to pronounce and
role in the ninth graders’ educational and career analyze the factors influencing academic
choices, and subject teachers a lesser role.
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Analysis of Preference Patterns Among Students and Parents for Academic Specialization: Evidence from
Private Grade IX Students of Karachi
specialization decisions among Grade IX students Student Questionnaires: Develop a questionnaire for
and their parents. The design lets us collect both students to gather information on their interests,
qualitative and quantitative data, providing a strengths, preferred specializations, and influencing
comprehensive understanding of the research factors (parental pressure, societal expectations, etc.).
phenomenon. Parent Questionnaires: Develop a separate
questionnaire for parents to understand their
Sampling and Population
educational aspirations for their children, factors
Grade IX Students: Students enrolled in the ninth guiding their advice (career goals, job market), and
grade of private schools in Karachi were the primary level of involvement in the specialization decision.
population of interest. They are at the decision- Data collection involved collaborating with school
making point for academic specialization. Parents of administrators to access students and parents.
students enrolled in the ninth grade were the Questionnaires were distributed online. Clear
secondary population. To ensure representativeness, instructions were provided, and focus groups or
stratified sampling was employed, dividing schools interviews were conducted with selected students,
into strata based on location, size, and type. Multi- parents, and school counselors. The researcher had
stage sampling involved randomly selecting ninth- teachers and students on various social messaging
grade classes from chosen schools and then randomly apps, and the researcher shared the questionnaires
selecting students from these classes. Convenience through the respective apps and groups. Other social
sampling was used for parents, selecting those media apps were used too, as many students are more
attending events, PTM, or picking up their children active on social media than messaging apps.
from school, supplemented by online surveys. The
Validity of Instruments
sample consisted of 99 students and 97 parents,
providing an adequate representation of the target Content validity was warranted through an extensive
population. The population had been chosen from a literature review and expert consultation. Face
variety of private schools across Karachi and their validity was established through pilot testing with a
parents as well. Some students were of the immediate small group of students and parents. Ensuring the
nearby area and some had been of the northern, validity of research instruments is critical to
southern and eastern regions of Karachi. As it was not establishing the accuracy and reliability of the data
possible to take samples from all over Karachi, as collected. In this study, content validity, face validity,
there are an immense number of private schools, and construct validity were addressed to guarantee
stratified sampling was used to choose our samples. the effectiveness of the student and parent
We divided the schools into different strata, to have questionnaires.
a representative of different factors. Within these After examining an extensive amount of literature
chosen schools, then randomly selected some ninth review on existing research on academic
grade classes and from them randomly selected some specialization decisions among parents and students,
students from those classes. This is multi-stage content validity was proven. Due to this review, an
sampling and ensures anonymity, avoiding bias informed development of questionnaire items took
towards anyone or any class. Taking samples from place, making sure they aligned with theoretical
parents is potentially challenging, thus either frameworks and empirical findings. Consultation
selecting parents who are either attending events, with expert educators and researchers in the field
PTM, or coming to pick their children up from school further refined the questionnaires, incorporating their
used convenience sampling. Online surveys were insights and expertise. Face validity was found when
utilized majorly. a small, diverse group of students and parents were
pilot tested. This process evaluated whether the
Research Instruments
questionnaire items satisfactorily measured the
The study employed two structured questionnaires: intended constructs and any potential ambiguities or
one for students and one for parents. The misunderstandings were pointed out. Revisions were
questionnaires were designed to collect the aspects made based on feedback from pilot participants;
influencing academic specialization decisions, clarity was enhanced and the questionnaire items
including demographic information, academic were made more relevant. Construct validity of the
interests, and career aspirations. They had both open- questionnaire items and latent variables was
ended, close-ended, and Likert scale questions. evaluated by examining the theoretical relationships
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PAKISTAN ISLAMICUS
(An International Journal of Islamic and Social Sciences) Vol 04, Issue 04 (October-December 2024)
between them. The research framework guided the collectively measuring a single essential construct.
development of questionnaire items. The resulting Item-total correlations were examined for both
questionnaires demonstrated strong construct questionnaires to further evaluate reliability. Results
validity, with items loading onto intended factors and showed that each item correlated significantly with
displaying coherent patterns of correlation. the total score, which shows that individual items
contribute to the overall scale score. Split-half
Reliability Measure
reliability testing was also conducted, dividing the
The reliability statistics indicate high intrinsic questionnaire items into two halves and comparing
consistency for both questionnaires. To indicate good the correlation between the two halves. The resulting
internal consistency, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient correlation coefficients demonstrated strong
for the students' questionnaire was 0.877, while the reliability, with values exceeding 0.7 for both
parents' questionnaire had a Cronbach's Alpha value questionnaires.
of 0.740. It is of utmost importance that the reliability
of research instruments is key to ensuring the
consistency and accuracy of the data collected. In this
study, a widely accepted measure of internal Table 1: Reliability Statistics of Parents’
consistency, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, assessed Questionnaire
the reliability of the student and parent
Cronbach's Standardized Cronbach's N of
questionnaires. The student questionnaire had high
Alpha Alpha Items
reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of
0.877. This indicates that the six items measuring 0.740 0.728 5
students' perceptions of aspects influencing their
academic specialization decisions are highly Table 2: Reliability Statistics of Students’
consistent and accurately measure the intended Questionnaire
construct. The high alpha value provided a reliable
Cronbach's Standardized Cronbach's N of
assessment of students' views on academic
Alpha Alpha Items
specialization suggesting that the questionnaire items
were strongly correlated. Similarly, the parent 0.877 0.887 6
questionnaire presented good reliability, with a
Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.740. The Cronbach's DATA ANALYSIS
Alpha Based on Standardized Items (0.728) further
supports this finding, indicating that the scale's Table 3: Parents’ Quantitative Data Analysis
reliability remains constant even when the items are Reliability Statistics
standardized. This suggests that the five variables - Cronbach's Alpha on Standardized N of
Importance of child's interest alignment, Confidence Alpha Items Items
in child's ability to succeed, Parental influence, 0.740 0.728 5
Importance of job prospect and career growth, and
Value of social class and background - are
Table 4: Inter-Item Correlation Matrix
Inter-Item Correlation Matrix
Importance of Confidence in Parental Importance of job Value of
Variables
child’s interest child’s ability influence prospect and growth social class
Importance of child’s
1.000 .147 .375 .095 .108
interest alignment
Confidence in child’s
.147 1.000 .240 .677 .894
ability to succeed
Parental influence .375 .240 1.000 .076 .217
Importance of job
prospect and career .095 .677 .076 1.000 .658
growth
Value of social class
.108 .894 .217 .658 1.000
and background

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Analysis of Preference Patterns Among Students and Parents for Academic Specialization: Evidence from
Private Grade IX Students of Karachi
Table 5: Inter-Item Covariance Matrix
Inter-Item Covariance Matrix
Importance Importance of job
Confidence in Parental Value of social
Variables of child’s prospect and
child’s ability influence class
interest growth
Importance of child’s
.418 .067 .131 .041 .049
interest alignment
Confidence in child’s
.067 .493 .091 .318 .438
ability to succeed
Parental influence .131 .091 .292 .027 .082
Importance of job
prospect and career .041 .318 .027 .447 .307
growth
Value of social class
.049 .438 .082 .307 .486
and background
Table 6: Parents' Item-Total Statistics
Item-Total Statistics
Corrected Squared Cronbach's
Scale Mean if Scale Variance
Variables Item-Total Multiple Alpha if Item
Item Deleted if Item Deleted
Correlation Correlation Deleted
Importance of child’s
16.8351 4.243 .216 .149 .793
interest alignment
Confidence in child’s
17.0206 2.916 .761 .817 .582
ability to succeed
Parental influence 16.7320 4.282 .296 .191 .759
Importance of job
prospect and career 17.1546 3.403 .562 .481 .672
growth
Value of social class and
17.0000 3.000 .725 .806 .600
background

Implications for Educational Policy and Furthermore, educational institutions should cater to
Practice students' varied interests by offering flexible major
and minor and compulsory subject choices, co-
The study's findings have important outcomes for
curricular and extracurricular opportunities to help
educational policy and practice. By focusing on the
students explore their strengths and talents. Ensuring
findings, educators can inculcate a supportive
equal access to resources and opportunities for
environment that nurtures students' unique talents
students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds is
and aspirations. The findings of this study are
essential. This requires intentional policies and
emphasizing the need for a child-centered approach
initiatives to address socioeconomic disparities,
that priorities student interests and autonomy. This
providing targeted support for students from
means encouraging students to reflect on their
underprivileged backgrounds.
academic and career goals, explore their passions,
This is one aspect that the study has revealed that
and empowering them to make informed choices. To
economic disparity is at its height. Private institutes
achieve this, integrated guidance is crucial. Educators
cater to the whims of the privileged and wealthy.
should provide comprehensive support that addresses
Disparate students even if they could afford the
academic, social, and career aspects, ensuring
tuition are not always able to access all resources and
students receive holistic guidance. Collaboration and
opportunities that the rich students are able to.
regular communication between teachers,
Policies must be implemented to bridge this gap,
counselors, and parents is important to support
ensuring all students have an equal chance to
informed decision-making. Parent-teacher Meetings
succeed. This might involve providing additional
and workshops can facilitate this partnership,
resources, mentorship programs, or scholarships to
enabling parents and educators to work together.
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PAKISTAN ISLAMICUS
(An International Journal of Islamic and Social Sciences) Vol 04, Issue 04 (October-December 2024)
level the playing field. Even though this study REFERENCES
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research should make sure the study's sample size Journal of Southeast Asian Research,
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must be considered.
Al-Rfou, A. (2013). Factors that influence the choice
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