The Role of Parents in Career Guidance: Challenges, Needs, and Perspectives in the Age of Artificial Intelligence in Lebanon

Abstract

This study explores the evolving role of parents in the career guidance of young people in Lebanon amid rapid technological advancement and an ongoing economic crisis. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through electronic surveys and focus groups involving parents and students in two private Catholic schools. The analysis reveals that Lebanese parents face significant challenges related to artificial intelligence, labor market volatility, and a growing generational gap in information and expectations. Despite high levels of education, many parents experience stress and uncertainty when advising their children, exacerbated by limited access to up-to-date career information and digital skills. The findings highlight the predominance of mothers in the guidance process, the critical influence of parental self-efficacy and outcome expectations, and the tensions between traditional and emerging career paths. The study underscores the crucial, yet often underestimated, role of career counselors and recommends enhanced institutional support, improved communication, and parental empowerment to help young people navigate an increasingly complex professional landscape. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of family dynamics in career guidance and offer actionable insights for educational practitioners and policymakers in Lebanon and similar contexts.