Gone are the days when parents used to decide about the career of their children. That is what stream they should choose and what career path they should take! It’s not that all the parents used to do this, still the majority, especially in middle class society, did it and do it even today.
This happened a lot when parents were not aware about the abundance of career options. In fact there were certainly less career choices if you go three decades back.
Today in this era of information, things have changed a lot. These days parents support their children’s career choices. But that doesn’t mean they can’t suggest or guide their children when it comes to their career.
Here we will discuss how parents can support their children’s career choices and even provide guidance and suggestions –
This happened a lot when parents were not aware about the abundance of career options. In fact there were certainly less career choices if you go three decades back.
Today in this era of information, things have changed a lot. These days parents support their children’s career choices. But that doesn’t mean they can’t suggest or guide their children when it comes to their career.
Here we will discuss how parents can support their children’s career choices and even provide guidance and suggestions –
Know the interest
Every child is born with some special talent. And parents play a big role in recognizing that talent. Bill Gates once said that whatever you enjoyed doing during your teenage years should be the basis of your career choice.
It’s the responsibility of parents to observe their children’s interests and choices right from their childhood. And there is a solid reason to do this. There are high chances your child will build a successful career in that particular area of life.
So this way you will get to know which career choice can be good for your child and can guide him/her accordingly.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” -Confusius
It’s the responsibility of parents to observe their children’s interests and choices right from their childhood. And there is a solid reason to do this. There are high chances your child will build a successful career in that particular area of life.
So this way you will get to know which career choice can be good for your child and can guide him/her accordingly.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” -Confusius
Give them freedom to decide
It’s very important to give your children the freedom to choose again right from their childhood. For example, choosing their clothes, shoes, school bag and every other small thing they can. Of course you will be there to guide and suggest, but leave the final decision on the child.
This way the children learn to decide things for themselves. They don’t get confused and look at you or any other person to approve their decisions in the future. After all, it’s very important to learn to make decisions. This skill will help your child at every stage of his/her life including career choice. “Don’t entrust your future on others’ hands. Rather make decisions by yourself with the help of God’s guidance. Hold your beliefs so tight and never let go of them!”
This way the children learn to decide things for themselves. They don’t get confused and look at you or any other person to approve their decisions in the future. After all, it’s very important to learn to make decisions. This skill will help your child at every stage of his/her life including career choice. “Don’t entrust your future on others’ hands. Rather make decisions by yourself with the help of God’s guidance. Hold your beliefs so tight and never let go of them!”
Don't impose the old ideas
Now this one parents do a lot. They tell their children that in our times this was good and that was bad. For instance, parents force their children to choose science stream and not to even think about arts stream.
Now just think about it! If a child is very creative, loves the decoration work, is it ok to force him/her to become a doctor or engineer? Isn’t interior designing a better career option for him or her?
Also parents need to understand that the career scope today is not the same as 20 or 30 years ago. Since it changes with time, there is no point in imposing your ideas and beliefs on your children. Last but not the least, if you support your children in their career choices, it will encourage them to do a lot better in their careers. On the other hand, if you demoralize them thinking they didn’t choose what you wanted them to, it will surely do harm.
Even if they excel in their career, they won’t forget about the hurdles in their career path. And that’s not the kind of relationship you want to have with your child. So choose to support your child’s career and see him/her win the world.
Now just think about it! If a child is very creative, loves the decoration work, is it ok to force him/her to become a doctor or engineer? Isn’t interior designing a better career option for him or her?
Also parents need to understand that the career scope today is not the same as 20 or 30 years ago. Since it changes with time, there is no point in imposing your ideas and beliefs on your children. Last but not the least, if you support your children in their career choices, it will encourage them to do a lot better in their careers. On the other hand, if you demoralize them thinking they didn’t choose what you wanted them to, it will surely do harm.
Even if they excel in their career, they won’t forget about the hurdles in their career path. And that’s not the kind of relationship you want to have with your child. So choose to support your child’s career and see him/her win the world.
AADI GARG
M.A. (Psy.), DCGC(NCERT), RCI REGD.
PSYCHOLOGIST | CAREER COUNSELOR
