Parenting methods for better adolescence scholastic achievements

Adolescence is a period of human development in which the school and home connection gain critical importance.

It is during this time that an adolescent transitions from childhood, being highly dependent and controlled, into a period of developing their self-exploration and independence. Adolescence is a time for change for the adolescent and a time for change for the family unit, while still needing parents to maintain the right amount of parental support.

But by the time children reach the middle school years, most parents give a sigh of relief for not having to help with or look over their adolescent’s homework or being involved in school activities. After all, they should be able by this age to get things done on their own.

Plenty of time and energy have been placed in the early years of schooling when parents are much more eager to be involved in the child’s school activities. It is new; it is exciting.

But by the time children transform into adolescence, parental participation lessens. But parents who don’t stop their involvement at the elementary school level, stay connected to their child’s school activities and see homework is done properly have better outcomes concerning their child’s school achievement.

Parents should consider these two areas if they desire to make a difference in their adolescence school success: parenting methods and parental involvement.

Different parenting methods or styles affect outcomes of school achievement: Warm, Responsive Parents vs. Unresponsive and/or Permissive Parents Adolescents will more readily internalize their parent’s values when the parent gives his or her reasons for carrying out a discipline and in turn helps the adolescent better understand their parent’s objectives.

Parents who are warm and responsive and who correct their child’s wrongs with somewhat firm parental control see outcomes of higher levels of competence and social proficiency in their adolescent.

Parents who are not warm or responsive but are very demanding, are very strict and do not give rationale behind rules and disciplines, do not see as good of outcomes as parents who are warm and responsive and tell the “why” of their decisions. There is a relationship between adolescent-lower-academic achievement and parents who are not warm and responsive.

The permissive parent and the overindulgent parent are more apt to be lax in their expectations of achievement and low on responsiveness, warmth and control. The adolescents of permissive and overindulgent parents tend to show lower results on self-reliance, self-control and competence.

Reasons Warm, Responsive Parents See More Positive Outcomes These parents provide a high level of emotional security, which provides the adolescent with a sense of comfort and independence that helps them succeed in school.

These parents provide explanations for their actions which gives an awareness and understanding of their parent’s values, morals and goals.

The communication of these goals gives the adolescent the tools to do well in school.

The parent engages in a two way communication with their adolescent which nurtures skills in developing relationships and helps provides for a better adjusted child.

Parental involvement is another area for parents to consider if they want to produce higher levels of school achievement in their adolescent.

The Best School Outcomes for Adolescents with Parental Involvement The best school outcomes happen when there is a strong positive parental relationship and parent-initiated involvement in the school.

Ways for parents to be involved include:

• Attending school activities, such as back-to-school nights, parent-teacher conferences.

• Volunteering at school sponsored events.

• Providing parental help with homework. Parents should check to see if homework is done and give time and help with homework problems.

It is estimated that about half of parents do not check or offer help with their adolescent’s homework.

Positive school outcomes are enhanced when the school initiates parental involvement.

But the trend is for parents to not get as involved when the child reaches the adolescent school years.

Parents have a significant influence on school achievement. There is a decline in parental involvement during the middle school years, which may influence lower school achievement.

Warm, responsive parenting is associated with higher levels of adolescent school achievement.