Authors : J.W. Owoyele and O.M. Toyobo
Abstract: The study investigated parental will, peer pressure and academic achievement as correlate of subjects� selection by students in Senior Secondary Schools in Ogun State. The aim was to determine the predictive potency of these factors (parental will, peer pressure and academic ability) on students� choice of subjects with a view to providing appropriate counselling for students. A sample of 1000 students was randomly drawn to participate in the study. The School Subject Factor Questionnaires (SSFQ) developed and validated by the researchers was used for data collection. The instrument had internal consistency of 0.88 on Cronbach alpha and yielded 0.83 co efficient of reliability from 2 administrations with 2 weeks interval. Two research questions were answered using regression analysis. Findings revealed the combined significant predictive potency of parental will, peer pressure and academic ability on students� choice of school subjects. Further analysis revealed that peer pressure was the most potent predictor, followed by parental will, while academic ability was the least predictor of students� choice of school subjects. Adequate academic and career guidance and counselling services were recommended to guide students in choosing school subjects at the senior secondary school level.
J.W. Owoyele and O.M. Toyobo , 2008. Parental Will, Peer Pressure, Academic Ability and School Subjects Selection by Students in Senior Secondary Schools. The Social Sciences, 3: 583-586.