Often Less Able to Help

Te Ao Hou, December 1965, Page 17

Often Less Able to Help The main difference I have noticed between the Pakeha approach and the Maori approach is that Pakeha parents are more involved in their children's future. Because of this they make enquiries, and find out everything they can about possible careers. Maori parents tend to let their children battle this out for themselves, and are not able to help in discussions and offer encouragement because they do not know about the careers that their children are interested in. Of course these are generalities, but they are true enough. As I see it, the main problem is that Maori parents often do not know about the facilities and services which are available to advise them on this question of careers. The Vocational Guidance Service is there to help you; it is a free service, and is available throughout the country. A branch of the Education Department, the Vocational Guidance Service helps young people to prepare for and enter a suitable career. Vocational Guidance Officers are trained to give skilled advice by relating the children's background and abilities to the careres which are open to them. In order to assess these abilities and potentials, they may use psychological tests (not so frightening as it may sound), and interview parents, teachers, social workers, and past employers. The object is to build up as complete a picture of the individual as possible.