This is usually a challenge for most young people especially in this era where certain careers that were once considered low class are now becoming more profitable. there is always a question of a child wanting to follow a particular career e.g. music and the parents demanding an alternative choice e.g. law. who really has the authority to decide?

Obviously, you have the right to determine your career. This is 2007, for goodness' sake, we ought to be enlightened.

On a broader view, degree of influence varies depending on the level at education, experience and background of the individual in focus. You and you alone are the author of your career path. Parents, career advisors, mentors, pastors, imams, friends, whoever you look up to are all there as guides and not dictators during the decision-making process.

As someone said, this is a common trend in our part of the world. Development is creating room for many career paths that would have been looked down at or totally accepted by a parent.

The end point should always be personal fulfilment and service (which can be relative).