Gender, socio-economic status and educational level as determinants of career maturity of Nigerian adolescents

Abstract

A descriptive research approach was used to determine the joint and relative effects of gender, socio-economic status and educational level on career maturity of secondary school students.. The study was carried out in four randomly selected secondary schools in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The subjects for the study were 400 randmly selected students drawn from SSI, II and III the age range of the subjects is between 15 and 20 years with mean age and standard deviation 16.95 and 1.50 respectively, male = 122 and female= 278. Data were collected with a self-report Career Maturity Scale. Multiple regression procedure and t-test statistics were utilized to analyse data. Results indicated that the regression equation of career maturity using the three predictor variables was significant; the scores on socio-economic status were the best predictor of career maturity. On the basis of this finding, suggestions were made on the ways to enhance career development of secondary school students. maturity.

Keywords: gender, socio-economic status, educational level, career maturity

Gender and Behaviour Vol. 4(1) 2006: 686-700