ANALYSIS OF PREFERENCE PATTERNS AMONG STUDENTS AND PARENTS FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM PRIVATE GRADE IX STUDENTS OF KARACHI
Keywords:
Preference Patterns, Students & Parents, Academic Specialization Evidence, Private Grade Ix Students, Karachi.Abstract
Parents of Grade IX students can influence their child’s decision for academic specialization either positively or negatively. Parents’ backgrounds, social networks, career expectations, and their perceptions of what fields are better for their child’s future affects their decision. As numerous influences are affecting the psychodynamics of student preferences and parental stimulus, it is essential to understand the link between them. This research’s aim is to analyze preference patterns of students and parents for academic specialization at the high school or secondary education level. The researchers used a mixed-methods methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The quantitative module involved surveying students and parents using structured questionnaires, while the qualitative module covered open-ended questions with students and parents. This study’s findings about parents’ preference patterns in academic specialization revolved around themes such as their child’s personal characteristics and interests; financial constraints; social and cultural influences; educational factors; future prospects; stability and success; own background, regrets, and desires; personal experiences. In addition to this, findings about students’ preference patterns followed themes such as personal interests, financial considerations, career stability and security, social influences, limited family influence, educational factors, self-actualization and independence. The study discussed how understanding these preference patterns could benefit various stakeholders. Additionally, this study investigated the inconsistencies between students’ and parents’ perceptions and ideologies regarding academic specialization choices in the Grade IX students of private schools in Karachi. The study recommends educators and policymakers various ways to address these inconsistencies by formulating effective strategies to create supported communication between the different stakeholders.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
