Differential Effects of Parental Education and Parental Occupation on Identity Development of Dharwad Pre-University College Students

A study was conducted among urban and rural Pre-University College students (16-18 years) who were randomly selected from four science coaching institutes of Dharwad taluk. A quantitative research method involving cross-sectional research design was used. Under it, firstly, a differential research design was used to know the differences in identity development of urban and rural Dharwad PUC students by their parents education and occupation. A random sample of 10 to 15 per cent were drawn from each class summing up to a total of 156 PUC-I and 156 PUC-II students from Dharwad science coaching institutes. Rural samples comprised of those students, who had completed their school education till Class-10th in their village and had come for PUC studies in coaching institutes of Dharwad located in urban area. Differential and correlational research designs were used to know the difference and relationship between identity development of PUC students and their parents education and occupation. Dimension of identity development scale was used to assess identity development of PUC students and general information schedule was used to gather basic information about respondents. Chi-square and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. The results of the present study revealed that, father’s education and occupation was not significantly associated with identity development of urban and rural PUC students. However, mother’s education was significantly associated and differed with identity development of urban PUC students. Mother’s occupation was also significantly associatedand differed with identity development of urban and rural PUC students. Thus, there is a need to invest more on quality education of parents which can mitigate poor identity development of PUC students.