Parental influence in educational decisions: young people’s perspectives

Abstract

Studies of young people’s experiences of parental influence on their educational choice in different family contexts are lacking. This study explores such experiences among youth in Norway, where educational choice is normatively construed as an autonomous decision. The article draws on data from a survey of 2029 youths that includes open-ended qualitative descriptions of experiences of difficult decisions. The analyses show no differences in experiences of parental influences related to social class. Minority students experience their parents as positive/supportive to the same degree as majority students but as more strongly influencing the decision-making process. Nevertheless, minority and majority youth express having made their own choice to the same extent. Negative and strong parental opinions sometimes complicate the choosing process and threaten young people’s sense of autonomy. In the case of youths’ indecision and need for guidance, parental involvement may be a precondition for a young person’s ability to make an autonomous decision.