The role of parental involvement in students’ academic success.

Her hands shaking uncontrollably, holding her maths paper completely soaked in tears, seconds away from it tearing into pieces. Voices running in her mind making her fear for her life. She bawled her eyes out in between the loud and petrifying screams of her parents, regretting having her parents involved in her studies. The only thoughts going on in her mind were ‘Am I even good enough’, ‘Am I capable of being my parents’ ideal daughter’, ‘Am I able to get passing marks at least’, and all those abhorrent thoughts making her feel miserable.

A few years ago, Ryna, an average student, believed that having her parents support her and involve them in her studies would enable her to excel in her class like her best friend, me. She didn’t realise how different my parents were from hers. It’s not that her parents didn’t love her; they did; it’s just that they had very different perspectives and a very different understanding of what a child was. They believed that by putting pressure on her and forcing their child to pursue their chosen subjects and careers because they are “wise and experienced,” their child’s future would be wondrous. They failed to realise that because of how the world has changed, they cannot make their child’s decisions for them without upsetting their own sense of tranquillity.

Ryna had seen my parents be completely fine with my marks even if they were low. My parents followed a beautiful quote by Jane D. Hull,’ At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents. She observed them providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for me, whether it was by attending parent-teacher conferences, assisting with homework, or simply talking to their kids about school-related issues. They were involved parents who laid a strong foundation for my success by actively supporting my education. They also assisted me in developing a favourable attitude towards education and showed a keen interest in their children’s education, which instils a sense of the value and importance of education. This optimistic outlook on learning increases my motivation, engagement, and long-term love of learning.

My parents kept in touch with my teachers on a regular basis and learned more about my development, my strengths, and my weaknesses. Due to their knowledge, my parents were able to reinforce the ideas I had learned in school by giving me individualised support and guidance. Additionally, with better communication, teachers can learn more about a student’s home environment and adjust their teaching methods to better suit the needs of each individual student.

My parents, however, were totally different from Ryna’s parents. Her parents overly observed and interfered in every aspect of her life, which put constant pressure on her to live up to their high expectations. Her ability to become independent and autonomous was also constrained by this. She became dependent on her parents for direction and decision-making, which hampered her capacity for critical thought and self-directed learning. Her internal motivation and passion for learning nearly began to wane as external pressure and expectations took over as the motivating factors behind her academic endeavors.

Parental involvement in a children’s academic success is a hotly debated subject. As the story explains, it has benefits and drawbacks like any other subject.

Without a doubt, parental involvement is very important to a child’s academic success. When parents take an active role in their child’s education, a nurturing and supportive environment is created that encourages a love of learning and success. Parents can have a positive impact on their child’s educational path by providing effective communication, guidance, and support. Parents who participate in their child’s education can learn more about their child’s development, talents, and areas for growth. As a result of their knowledge, they can give their child the specific support and encouragement he or she needs to succeed academically.

Although parental involvement is crucial for a child’s academic success, it’s also crucial to strike a balance between parental support and freedom. The negative effects of overly involved parents may include increased stress, decreased motivation, limited independence, diminished problem-solving abilities, and strained parent-child relationships. It is crucial for parents to understand the value of letting their kids grow in their own abilities, make their own choices, and take charge of their academic journey in order to foster a positive and effective learning environment.

By Prisha Bardia X A, student of Jasudben ML School,ICSE school in Khar, Mumbai)