Familial and Social Influences in Career Exploration for Female Youth of Color

Abstract

Counseling research on female youth of color has been limited in the application of theoretical frameworks that engage families in a practical sense regarding career issues. In this direct content analysis, 40 female middle school students of color shared perceptions of their strengths and supports for future career success. Relational cultural theory, a framework grounded in multiculturalism and feminism, was shown to be a fitting and promising theory-to-practice model for those working with female adolescents of color and their families. Implications for counselors working with female youth of color and families on career exploration are provided.