INFLUENCE OF PARENTING ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS

This study aims at identifying the role of parenting on the choice of profession selection and academic performance of students. This is imperative as the choice of career path of many students in higher institutions have been influenced, one way or the other, by parents to reflect the wishes of these parents, regardless of the natural academic affinities of the student. Consequently, the academic performance of some students have been adversely affected. In line with this, some students attribute the success or failures recorded in school to their parents. In this research, Focused Group Discussion (FGD) between students and parents were conducted. In addition, a well-structured questionnaire was administered. Furthermore, personal interviews was conducted to harvest real time information on student performance from various instructors (Teachers and Lecturers). The results was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 21. Results showed that parents have great influence on choice of student’s profession selection and this has affected their academic performance adversely. Parents and student alike need to learn how to work in harmony in making fair career choices that would give the student long term satisfaction.