Freedom of Choice of Work

No human being is an oasis. We all need someone to communicate, whether internally or externally, to provide the companionship we all need to ensure our continued existence (Connell 1940, p.186). As we grow up, society influences us in diverse ways. From childhood, as we grow up, go to school, interact with our friends, and family, and decide on what career paths to take, society shapes how we view things.

Though research into the influence of society in career choice may be little (Savickas, 2000; Brown et al, 2005), one thing that is obvious is that society has some influence on people’s choices of work, whether directly or indirectly. Society’s influence in this case is dependent on whether it teaches people individualism or collectivism.

Hotstede(1986) describes individualism as pertaining to societies in which kinship bonds are almost non-existent and everyone simply provides care and support for him or herself and closest relations. Nevertheless, collectivism suggests that the existence of group or individuals’ solidarity in the society from the time they are brought forth through to adulthood.

The type of society you grow up in influences your view towards work, how you do it, and what choices you will make when deciding your career path. “Collectivists are often socialized to enjoy doing their duty, even if that requires some sacrifices. Individualists do their duty only when their computations of the advantages and disadvantages suggest they would derive a clear benefit,” Triandis (1995).

Before most Africans were acculturated by the West, they were mostly socialized towards collectivism. As time went on, and people got closer to other people from other places, and everyone started striving towards white collar jobs and the things that the west offered, individualism started to take the lead in many lives. As a result of this, parents started socializing their children to work towards making sure that they got jobs that would benefit them, and get them positioned just well enough to take good care of their immediate families. In this regard individuals who come from affluent backgrounds were often privileged to have relatives or parents connect them to 'dream' jobs and permanent work positions in the society.

Formal education also started this same trend, as Africans were being trained to be the clerks of the white man. The common trend was to make sure that the black man made just enough to take care of their immediate family, and not to spread across the community.

Backing individualism and collectivism, are the environmental factors that influence the direction people will take after self-assessment. At times, young adults may not have the privilege of career choices and often give up on their dreams and aspirations when they become almost impossible to achieve. Out of desperation some rely on family and friendship connections to secure a job that meets their financial demands. Individuals without this "whom you know" factor tend to have struggles with finding a solid footing in the job market.

Whatever traits and attitudes that the society highlights and reinforces will go a long way to influence the way people will view themselves, and the paths that they will take. These traits will also determine whether the people in the community will choose career paths that have high risk factors, but high rewards, or will just choose safe paths, that will have rewards and will be ‘just enough’.

References

Triandis, H. C. (1995). Individualism & collectivism New directions in social psychology. Individualism & collectivism. Westview Press ISBN, 813318491(9780813318493), 259.

Derrick, J. (1983). The'Native Clerk'in Colonial West Africa. African Affairs, 82(326), 61-74.

Connell, J. P. (1940). Man and society. The American Catholic Sociological Review, 1(4), 186-191.

Hofstede, G. (1986). Cultural differences in teaching and learning. International Journal of intercultural relations, 10(3), 301-320.