ADOLESCENTS' PERCEPTION OF PEER PRESSURE AND ITS IMPACT ON CAREER CHOICES: A STUDY IN RANCHI

Author Name: 1. Upasna Kumari, 2. Dr. Ramagya Singh

Volume/Issue: 05/09

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/02.2025-59154497/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Research Scholar, P.G. Department of Psychology, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, India.
2. Department of Psychology Ramgarh College, Ramgarh Vinoba Bhave University, India.

ABSTRACT

The present study emphasizes how peer pressure influences decisions over careers in a vastly sociocultural diverse society, focusing on the attitude of adolescence in the Ranchi region toward it and whether it impinges upon their career choices. Peer groups play an excellent part in adolescence-an essential identity development and career exploration period-and can have either a good or bad influence on career objectives. The study examines the perception of young people from different ethnic backgrounds residing in the urban and rural settings of Ranchi regarding peer influence in career choices, at what level they are influenced, and its effects on their long-term goals. The study considers gender and social status as well as the educational setting to be plausible reasons explaining why adolescence behave in reaction to peer influence. The study used a descriptive research approach and stratified random sampling along with a structured questionnaire to examine 180 adolescence. According to the findings, respondents' levels of peer pressure varied by gender, with boys feeling a bit more pressure than girls. They also showed disparities in career inclinations. The findings highlight the need to have career counselling programs designed based on different socioeconomic, cultural, and gender differences, among other considerations, as well as require an understanding of how peer influence may either open or close off spaces for exploring careers.

Key words: Adolescents' Perception, Peer Pressure, Career Choices, Ranchi District.