Compared with adolescents and adults, there is little research that examines child
career development and especially how parents might influence such development.
This is especially true in Mainland China, where family life is highly valued. This
study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to examine how Mainland
Chinese parents influence the career development of their 5th-grade children. Six
superordinate themes were identified from both the children’s and the parents’
perspectives: responding to career curiosity, influence on career gender stereotypes,
emphasizing the importance of education, encouraging independent career decision
making, providing opportunities for career interest development, and mothers as
career role models. Suggestions are offered for future career development learning
programs and research.