Choice of course major should be based on students’ abilities
Published: 05:07 PM,Jul 30,2024 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 30,2024
Many parents believe their children, at a young age, lack the capacity to make such a consequential decision on their own
Muscat: Choosing a university major is a challenging task for high school graduates and their parents. This critical decision often attracts interventions from relatives, friends, and the broader environment, adding to the stress.
Many parents believe their children, at a young age, lack the capacity to make such a consequential decision on their own. They insist that the choice be grounded in sound scientific criteria to avoid future regret.
Seeing themselves as more knowledgeable about labour market demands and having more life experience, parents often push their children to suppress their own interests to satisfy parental expectations and out of respect for them.
Maryam al Ghailani, a recent high school graduate, noted that a significant number of students rely on their families to choose their university majors. She emphasised that the family plays a crucial role in shaping their children's ambitions, highlighting the gap between personal aspirations and achievable goals.
University student Abdullah al Hilali shared that the family’s influence is evident through academic results and the alignment between a student’s inclinations and their performance, especially at the start of secondary education, a pivotal stage for future specialisation.
Psychologist Abdullah al Araimi added that parents, driven by their concern for their children's future, often push for majors they believe will secure the best societal positions. This well-meaning interference intensifies after high school, as parents may choose specialisations based on their own wishes rather than their children's aptitudes.
This mismatch can lead to failure or poor performance, underscoring the grave mistake of imposing a major that doesn’t align with a child's desires or abilities.
Al Araimi advised parents to approach this decision like friends, offering guidance without imposing their will. He urged open communication and mutual understanding between parents and children, emphasising the need for coordination, consultation and discussion to ensure that both parties are satisfied with the chosen path.
Many parents believe their children, at a young age, lack the capacity to make such a consequential decision on their own. They insist that the choice be grounded in sound scientific criteria to avoid future regret.
Seeing themselves as more knowledgeable about labour market demands and having more life experience, parents often push their children to suppress their own interests to satisfy parental expectations and out of respect for them.
Maryam al Ghailani, a recent high school graduate, noted that a significant number of students rely on their families to choose their university majors. She emphasised that the family plays a crucial role in shaping their children's ambitions, highlighting the gap between personal aspirations and achievable goals.
University student Abdullah al Hilali shared that the family’s influence is evident through academic results and the alignment between a student’s inclinations and their performance, especially at the start of secondary education, a pivotal stage for future specialisation.
Psychologist Abdullah al Araimi added that parents, driven by their concern for their children's future, often push for majors they believe will secure the best societal positions. This well-meaning interference intensifies after high school, as parents may choose specialisations based on their own wishes rather than their children's aptitudes.
This mismatch can lead to failure or poor performance, underscoring the grave mistake of imposing a major that doesn’t align with a child's desires or abilities.
Al Araimi advised parents to approach this decision like friends, offering guidance without imposing their will. He urged open communication and mutual understanding between parents and children, emphasising the need for coordination, consultation and discussion to ensure that both parties are satisfied with the chosen path.