INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS ON GIRLS’ EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER ASPRIRATIONS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SAMBURU COUNTY, KENYA

Yıl 2019, Cilt: 5 Sayı: 12, 920 - 941, 29.10.2019

Joseph Mungaı

Öz

Under-representation of women in
the education, formal employment and administrative positions is very
conspicuous. The gender disparities are prominently exhibited among communities
adhering to traditional cultural values, beliefs, customs, practices and harbouring
negative attitudes and perceptions among women and girls. These cultural
attributes are likely to negatively influence the girls’ career aspirations.
This study therefore sought to determine the influence of social and cultural
attributes on girls’ educational and career aspirations in public secondary
schools in Samburu County which is predominantly occupied by nomadic
communities. Equal opportunities theory was adopted. A descriptive survey was
employed. Data was collected from a sample of 132 girls using a questionnaire.
Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages were used to
analyze and present the data. The following were the findings and conclusions:
girls exhibited high educational and career aspirations; direct relationships existed
between girls’ higher educational and career aspirations and high
socio-economic status, liberated attitudinal ideology, knowledge of role
models, urban and rural-urban residence. Sex-role ideology, socio-economic
status, role models, and residential location influenced the girls educational
and career aspirations more than their religious affiliation. The following
recommendations were made: researchers
and educationists should investigate the subterranean factors that suppress
girls’ and career aspirations and recommend remedial measures to reduce or
eradicate the negative influence of these factors; affirmative policies should
be formulated aimed at creating a level playing ground for the disadvantaged
groups of the society especially the girl child; and girls should emancipate
themselves from the andro-centrically biased socio-cultural web and challenge
themselves by pursuing high status professional careers since given favorable
educational and training opportunities and conditions, they can achieve equally
better as their male counterparts.

Anahtar Kelimeler

, -

Kaynakça

• Abagi, O.J. (2005). Education on Gender: A Theoretical Framework on Gender Sense. A Newsletter of the Collaborative Gender and Development.Akande, B.E. (1987). Rural-Urban Comparison of Female Educational Aspirations in South-Western Nigeria. Comparative Education.,23 (1), 75 – 83.
• Ali, S.R. McWhirter, E.H, & Chronister, K.M.(2005). Self-efficacy and Vocational Outcome Expectations for Adolescents of Lower Socio-economic Status: A Pilot Study. Journal of Career assessment. 13, 40 – 58.
• Baker, M. (1985). What will Tomorrow Bring? A Study of the Aspirations of Adolescent Women. Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Otawa, Ontario.
• Barsoc, S.A & Howe, K.G. (2009). Model Influence on Career Choices of College Students. The Vocational Guidance Quarterly. 27, 239 – 245.
• Boyd, M. (1982). Sex Differences in Canadian Occupational Attainment Process. Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, (19)1, 1 – 28.
• Brown, S.G. & Barbosa, G. (2001). Nothing is Going to Stop Me Now: Obstacles Perceived by Low-income Women as they Become Self-sufficient. Public Health Nursing, 18, 364 – 372.
• Cunningham, S. (1997). The Development of Equal Opportunities Theory and Practice in the European Community. Policy and Practice, (20) 3, p 177 – 190.
• Duba, J. (2014). The influence of Socio-Cultural and Socio-Economic Factors on Girls’ Access to and Participation in Primary Education in Merti District, Isiolo County, Kenya. Unpublished Master of Education Project, Kenyatta University.
• Dyler, M. (2008). The Effects of Gender on Occupational Aspirations of Primary School Children in Cross River State. The African Symposium. 4(2), 26 – 31.
• Gachukia, E.W. (1994). Key Note Address. A Paper Presented for National Symposium on Education of Girls in March (21st – 24th) in Machakos, Kenya.
• Gay, L.R. (1992). Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application. New york: McMillan Publishing Company.
• Gay, L.R, Mills, G.E. & Airasian P.W. (2009). Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application. New Jersey: Kelvin M. Davis.
• Glaze, A. (1979). Factors Which Influence Career Choices and Future Orientations of Females. Unpublished Manuscript; The Ontario Institute of Studies in Education.
• https://editorialexpress.com/cgi-bin/conference/download.cgi?db..name...paper...
• http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate..women...formal.jobs../index.html.
• Hoffman, JJ, Hofaker, C. & Goldsmith, E.B.(1992). How Closeness Affects Parental Influence on Business College Students’ Career Choices. Journal of Career Development, 19 (1), 179 – 193.
• Idowu, A.I. & Dere, A.O.(1983). Socio-Economic Status and Occupational Aspirations of High School Seniors in Nigeria. Journal of Employment Counselling, 20 (4), 186 – 192.
• Juma, M.N.(1994). Determinants of Female Participation in Primary School. A Study of Kwale and Taita Taveta Districts. Unpublished Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, Kenyatta University.
• Karunanayake, D. & Nauta, M.W. (2004). The Relationship Between Race and Students’ Identified Career Role Models and Perceived Role Model Influence. The Career Development Quarterly, 52, 225 – 234.
• Kendall, E.L & Miller, L.E (1983). Attitude Towards School preparation of Traditional and Non-Traditional Vocational Education Completers. Journal of Vocational Education Research, 83, 33 – 45.
• Kibera, L.W. (1995). Gender Equity and Education: The Situation in Kenya. The Kenya Adult Education. 2(1), 4 – 13.
• Machyo, C.N. (1995). Social and Cultural forces in Educational Plans and Career Aspirations for Young Girls in Kenya. Unpublished Master of Art Thesis, University of Brunswick.
• Marini, M.M & Greenberger, E (1978). Sex differences in Occupational Aspirations and Expectations. Sociology of Work and Occupations, 5, 147 – 178.
• Maxwell, M.P & Maxwell, J.O (1995). Women, Religion and Achievement Aspirations: A Study of Private School Females. In R.M. Pike and E. zeik (eds). Socialization and Values in Canadian Society (Vol 2.) Toronto: Carlton Library, Mclleland and Stewart Ltd.
• Mbugua, E.D.W. (2016). Challenges Facing Female Principals in Secondary Schools Administration in Githunguri, Kiambu County, Kenya. Unpublished Master of Education Project, Kenyatta University.
• Mendez L.M.R. & Crawford, K.M.(2002). Gender-role Stereotyping and Career Aspirations: A Comparison of Gifted Early Adolescent Boys and Girls. The Journal of Secondary Gifted Education, VIII(3), 96-107.
• Mugenda, O. & Mugenda, A. (1999). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: Africa Center of Technology Studies (ACTS) Press.
• Mung’ara, E. (2012). Factors Affecting Career Aspirations of Girls; Emerging Issues and Challenges: A Case of Thika West District, Kiambu County. Unpublished Master of Education Project, Kenyatta University.
• Mwaa, M.A.(2016). Parental Factors Influencing Career Choices among High School Students in Nairobi County. Unpublished Postgraduate Diploma in Education Project, University of Nairobi.
• Nyanchoka, J.C. (2013). Factors that Influence Participation of Women in Formal Businesses in Kenya: A Case of Kimilili-Bungoma District. Unpublished Master of Arts Project, University of Nairobi.
• Obura, P.A. (1994). Learning the Gender Bias Early: Primary School Text Books. Ceres, FAO Review, 19(3), 65 – 80.
• Ochieng A.G.M. (2015). Factors Influencing Retention Rate of Girls in Secondary Schools in Ndhiwa Sub-county, Homa-bay County, Kenya. Unpublished Master of Education Project, Kenyatta University.
• Odell, K.S. (1986). Education and Occupational Aspirations and Expectations of Rural Ohio-Tenth and Twelfth Grade Students. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Ohio State University, Columbus, O.H.
• Ramaci, et al (2017). Gender Stereotypes in Educational Choices: A cross-Sectional Study on a Group of Italian Adolescents. Psychology Research and Behaviour Management. 10, 109-117.
• Republic of Kenya (2005). A Policy Framework for Education, Training and Research: Meeting the Challenges of Education, Training and Research in Kenya in the 21st Century. (Sessional Paper No.2005). Nairobi: Government Printers.
• Republic of Kenya (2007). Kenya Vision 2030 (popular version). Nairobi :Government Printers.
• Republic of Kenya (2010). The Kenya Constitution 2010. Nairobi: Government Printers.
• Saltiel, J. (1982). Sex Differences in Occupational Significant Others and their Role Relationships to Students. Rural Sociology, 47, 129 – 146.
• Santis, A.M. (2006) The Influence of Role Models on Women’s Career Choices. Research Gate; Dol: 10-1002/j.2161.0045.2006.tb00195.x.
• Smith, W. & Erb, T.W.(2006). Effect of Women Science Career Role Models on Early Adolescents’ Attitudes towards Scientists and Women in Science. Journal of Research in Science Training, 8, 667 – 676.
• Smock, A.C. (1982). Women’s Education in Developing Countries: Opportunities and Outcomes. New York: Praeger.
• Stevens, G. & Boyd, M (1980). Labour Force Participation and Intergrational Mobility of Women. Social Forces, 59, 186 – 189.
• Taban, L. (2010). The Rate of Transition of Girls from Primary Level to Secondary Level and Beyond. Unpublished Document, University of Dar es Salaam.
• Tawanda, R. & Gordon, E (2004). Comprehensive Review of Gender Issues in Education Sector. A Report for UNICEF/MOSESC, 49(1), 38 – 40. Third Publishing Company.
• Young , P.M.(1985). The Influence of Parents on Educational and Occupational Decision Making of their Children: Reducing Sex-Role Stereotyping in Vocational Education. Eric Document Reproduction Service No. ED277813.