Framing Futures: Familial Influence and the Impressionistic Psychology of Adolescent Career Choice

This research studies the impressionistic psychology behind adolescent career choices and the decisive influence of familial support within the evolving context of career selection and recruitment. Drawing on psychological theory, sociocultural analysis, and empirical data, the study reframes career decision-making as an affective and impressionistic process rather than a solely rational or aptitude-based act. A mixed-methods approach was employed through the administration of structured questionnaires to 9th &11th grade students from diverse urban and rural educational institutions. The findings reveal that familial support is not merely advisory but emotionally curative and symbolically directive, influencing procedural knowledge, aspiration structures, and persistence in chosen career paths. Female students experienced heightened inner conflict, balancing familial expectations with professional ambitions, while lower-income students viewed careers as symbols of upward mobility. The research underscores that adolescent career choice is best understood as a refine emotional narrative, shaped by symbolic associations and cultural imprints. The study recommends family-inclusive career education, procedural literacy programs, and a reframing of national policy to acknowledge the emotional, psychological, and cultural realities influencing adolescent career development.