PARENTING AND SCHOOL

Relationship between Parenting and School Performance

Among Adolescent Students

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between parenting and school performance among the adolescent students. It studies and highlights the role of parents and its effects on the performance of high school-goers. After analysis, a complete elaboration on the varying results has been discussed to give a clear idea of the research study.

Relationship between Parenting and School Performance

Among Adolescent Students

Introduction

Parents and children form a strong bond and carry an important relationship with each other in their lives. No one can deny the vitality of parenting, which is the most important process of nature. Beginning from the birth of a child and continuing up to adolescence, parents contribute their utmost efforts in fulfilling all the demands of their children. They tend to punish, reward and interact with children for the sake of their progress and growth. (Tresniowski, 2002)

Parenting refers to the process of raising children in healthy physical, mental and other environments. In children's personal, professional and social development parenting gives a significant contribution in developing them. Attachment parenting, Nurturant parenting, and strict father model are just a few models of bringing up the children. (Samuel & Terence, 2002)

However, when the children enter their adulthood, they step into a mature phase of their lives. Their preferences change and demands and expectations shift. Thus, parents need to adapt a different behavior with children of such age group. They need to give their adolescents enough space in order to adjust in the environment with their natural changes. (Lamont & Michele, 2000)

Some parent-adolescent relationships are based on positive interaction where, problem-solving ability is effective and fruitful; while, in negative interaction, hostility and destructive behavior between parents and adolescents prevail. (Heyman, 2002)

Adolescence is a time period, when children demand independence, and more liberty which is a great challenge to the parent's authority. They strive to establish in themselves a sense of individuality and emotional autonomy. Parents have to adjust themselves according to the gradually changing emotional needs and feelings of their kids. (Feitelberg, 2002)

Aims of the Present Study

The aim of present study is to assess the extent of interaction of parents with their adolescents. It also analyzes parents' role in their children's school experiences. A sample of 20 parents is taken from the population for research purpose. The factors such as family conflicts, maternal employment, parent-adolescent relationship and involvement of parents in adolescents' school were put to question. The research is based on convenience sampling and is expected to conclude with the findings which would indicate higher levels of positive behavior and sense of achievement of the adolescents. (Sandalow & Marc, 2004)

Methods

Participants

To undertake this study, our participants included children between 14-19 years of age, and the parents who had to take part were between 35 to 45 years of age. All of the parents who constituted the sample were Native Americans or African American. (Sandalow, 1996)

Tools

Questionnaires were the major tool used to conduct the study. Each included a set of 15 questions asked from ...