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Title page

Towards a new Interdisciplinary theory on Parental Involvement or lack thereof in

First-Generation College Students.

Part One:
Introduction
The problem at hand is evaluating parental Involvement or lack thereof in FristGeneration College Students and its correlation with academic performance
throughout undergraduates school. Engle (2008) found [First-Generation students
experience less success than their peers right from the start] (Engle, 2008). In
addition, to Parental Involvement access to resources plays a factor in academic
success of students, Martinez, Sher, Krull and Wood (2009) sates that lack of funds,
FirstGeneration Students often holds jobs while in college. (Martinez, Sher, Krull
and Wood, 2009). There are many factors other than parental involvement that are
associated with the students performances economic and social class play apart as
well. Ultimately there are a variety of issues these students face as a result of the
topic, Parental Involvement or the lack thereof, Wolf and Harper, 2009, parental
engagement in college students academics lives, the mode and frequency of
students parent communication (Wolf and Harper, 2009).

Research Problem
The research problem guiding this study is the lack of interdisciplinary knowledge
regarding First Generation Students and the theory of effects in Parental involvement or
lack thereof.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to structure a potential plan of action to advocate &
enhance the knowledge of Parental Involvement in First generation households.

Significance of the Study

The significance of this study is to evoke new theories while breaking new barriers
of knowledge between Parental involvement or the lack thereof. This study is
significant to scholars and practitioners because, this topic can later be staged to
document the outcome of these students at question. The purpose is educating the

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reader on all spectrums dealing with First-Generation Students and Parental
Involvement.

Researchers Relationship to the Study

The evolution of knowledge on this topic is fond to me because I am a First
Generation College Student. I can synthesize with the many theories that mark the
disadvantage of student like myself. However, I view these unbeknownst challenges
as the stage to prove many theories wrong. For many decades studies pertaining to
ethnic minorities and the journey of post-secondary education has place students in
many pigeonhole. The pigeonholes range from graduation uncertainties, low
success rate, failure to adapt etc. As a First Generation Student I can concur with
the urgency for parental involvement with students academics post-secondary
education. This is what prompted me to undertake this topic and combat future
learning curves and encourage early preparation for students Post-Secondary
education.

Part Two:
Review of the Literature
Engle, J., Tinto, V.,(2008, November), Moving Beyond Access:
College Success for Low-Income, First-Generation Students.
This article discusses the factors beyond parental involvement, this articles
looks at the factors of how can the access of higher education be extended
to individuals within the First generation realm. This article put emphasis
questions on how to help the transition for First-Generation students: How
can academic preparation be improved for students, How can additional
financial aid be implemented, how can transfer rate to four-year college be
implemented, How can engagement be improved and how to promote re
entry for working students.
Jessica M. Dennis, Jean S. Phinney, Lizette Ivy Chuateco,
(2005,May/June), The Role of Motivation, Parental Support, and Peer
Support in the Academic Success of Ethnic Minority First-Generation
College Students, Journal of College Student Development Volume
46, Number 3, pp.223-260.
This article discusses students level of attrition and its correlation with non
parental involvement through the undergraduate experience. Its also
touches on the dynamics which the lack of parental involvement disrupts i.e.
Gpa, ACT scores, schaolarship and loan attainment. This article also ventures
in to the realm of drug abuse and how common it is within the FirstGeneration likelihood.

Brooks-Terry, M., (1988), Tracing the Disadvantage of FirstGeneration College Students: An Application of Sussmans option
Sequence Model, pp.122-134.
This
articles discusses the concern of First-Generation students in a academic
setting and the adaptability concern. It also reiterates the initial lack of
exposure to resources unlike Non First-Generation students. This article also
state the roads less traveled by First-Generation student, such as nonparticipants in school organization or on campus activities.
Wolf, S.D., Sax, l., Harper, E.C., (2009, July), Parental
Engagement and Contact in the academic Lives of College Students,
pp.455-488.
This article investigates the mode of frequency with parental engagement in
retrospect to academics. It also evaluates the spectrum of populations this
issue resides, race, social class, immigrant status, year in school and gender.

Part Three:
Interdisciplinary Theory Construction
An Integrative theory with a Interdisciplinary approach to understanding parental
involvement in Students academics post-secondary education. The purpose of this
topic is to showcase Parental involvement or lack thereof in students academics.
The disciplines used to enhance the readers understanding are sociological &
Psychological factors that are results from Parental involvement and Non-parental
involvements. Furthermore, Maslows hierarchy of needs will be implemented to
display the comparison of needs being fulfilled and those, which are not, in regards
to First Generation & Non First Generation students. The sociological contributions
will further the readers understanding with communication barriers, learning curves
and interactions with peers and society as a result of parental Involvement or lack
thereof. Whereas, the psychological contribution will bridge the gap in
understanding the mental and emotional effects resulting from the lack of parental
Involvement. The mental effects range from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem
and inferiority. The two discipline with help conceptualize the different parenting
styles and display academic involvement to highlight the difference between
parental involvement.

References

Jessica M. Dennis, Jean S. Phinney, Lizette Ivy Chuateco, (2005,May/June),

The Role of Motivation, Parental Support, and Peer Support in the Academic
Success of Ethnic Minority First-Generation College Students, Journal of
College Student Development Volume 46, Number 3, pp.223-260.
Martinez, J. A., Sher, K. J., Krull, J. L., & Wood, P. K. (2009). Blue-Collar
Scholars?: Mediators and Moderators of University Attrition in FirstGeneration College Students. Journal of College Student Development, 50(1),
87103.
Domenech Rodriguez, M.M, Donovick, R.M, Crowley, S., (2009, June).
Parenting Styles in a Cultural Context: Observation of Protective Parenting
in First-Generation Latinos. Vol 48, 195-210.
Kenton, T.H, Bell, D.A, Perna, W.L., (2008, September/October), and
Contextual Influences on parental Involvement in College Going: Variations
by Socioeconomics Class, Vol. 79, pp.564-586
McCarron-Pagliarulo, G, Inkelas Kurotschi, K, (2006, September), The Gap
between education Aspiration and attainment for First-Generation College
Students and the Role of parental Involvement, Vol. 47, pp.534-549.
Wolf, S.D., Sax, l., Harper, E.C., (2009, July), Parental Engagement and
Contact in the academic Lives of College Students, pp.455-488.
Hicks, T., Assessing the Effects of Parental Involvement on First-generation
and Second-Generation College Students.
Austin, M.K., Parental Influences On First-Generation College Students: Case
Studies Of Enrollment and Persistence.
Engle, J., Tinto, V.,(2008, November), Moving Beyond Access: College Success
for Low-Income, First-Generation Students.
Brooks-Terry, M., (1988), Tracing the Disadvantage of First-Generation
College Students: An Application of Sussmans option Sequence Model,
pp.122-134.

Seginer, R., (2006), Parents Education Involvement: A Developmental

Ecology Perspective, Vol.6, pp.1-48.
Miedel, T.W, Reynolds, J.A, (1999, June), Parent Involvement in Early
Intervention for Disadvantaged Children: Does it Matter?.