Influence of Home Environment on Vocational Interest among High-School Adolescents

Abstract

Vocation is valued as a critical and crucial contributor to self-confidence, self-esteem, financial independence and social maturity in an individual's life. Vocational choice is one of adolescents’ most serious and far-reaching needs. This study was planned to understand the influence of home environment on vocational interest among 300 high-school adolescents, from selective schools of Rohtak city, Haryana, India. Tools like Background Profile Schedule (BPS) (self-constructed), (b) Vocational Interest Record (VIR) and (c) Home Environment Scale (HES) were used for data collection. Adolescents showed high-to-above average interest in executive jobs like corporate, judiciary and administrative services. Almost half of the sample population showed average interest in jobs like technician, doctor, engineer, etc.; they showed average-to-low interest in scientific jobs and artistic jobs. Literary and commercial jobs were the second least preferred jobs among adolescents. Adolescents belonging to favourable, satisfied and contented home environments opted for executive jobs followed by scientific, social and artistic jobs. Adolescents belonging to troubled, dissatisfied and discontented home environments opted for executive positions, followed by scientific, artistic and social jobs, respectively. Social isolation among adolescents showed a positive correlation with executive, artistic and social jobs. A protective, affectionate and understanding home environment gives an adolescent a sense of confidence, which helps him or her opt for more independent and challenging ventures like setting-up their own companies, business houses and entrepreneurship. No correlation was found in any other dimensions of home environment and vocational interest.