Abstract:

Peruvian society is characterized by its high level of conservatism, traditionalism and strong influence on the decisions of their children. In this context, several studies have found that the participation of parents is crucial in the decision their children make for certain professional careers in universities. In this way, a series of studies have shown parental influences associated with gender stereotypes (Montes and Franco, 2020), the search for social status and the desire for social advancement that surpasses that of previous generations.

However, there are careers (or groups of careers) that are generating greater resistance than others. Thus, this study offers relevant information to understand how parents reject or accept certain careers in relation to variables such as social, educational and occupational status. Therefore, we have grouped the careers in areas such as health sciences, social sciences, human sciences, natural sciences and engineering in order to explain the phenomenon in question for each of these areas. We also provide a detailed overview of the sociodemographic, personal and institutional characteristics of the students associated with their authentic vocational preferences (dream career).

This explanatory study was developed on 1155 students (763 males and 392 females) who are completing their secondary education in the province of Arequipa (Peru). It should be noted that this is the most important province in the country after Lima (capital city). In this sense, a questionnaire was applied under informed consent and authorization of the parents.

This study allows us to understand and explain the processes of influence that families (father and mother) have with respect to their children's preferences. Thus, we found differences in the way in which parental resistances act according to the careers, the sex of the parents and their occupations

Keywords:

Vocational preferences, parental resistance, university careers, vocation rejection.