PARENTING BEHAVIOR AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ELEMENTARY PUPILS

Background and Conceptual Framework of the Study

Parents play a very crucial role in the holistic development of their children. Their

parenting practices affect many aspects of the child’s life and that includes their children’s

performance in school. According to Whetsel & Green (2004), when parents participate in their

child’s education, the academic performance and learning of their children are better.

Shaffer (1985) states in his study that the decisions made by parents have lasting

influence that can bring either positive or negative effects on their children. In the end, parents

do what they believe are best for their children. Parents want their children to succeed

academically at school but not all parents are successful in the process because of their

inappropriate parenting style cited by Kashahu (2014). In Baumrind’s theory of parenting style

(1971, in Kuan & Wang, 2003), there are four patterns that was based on two dimensions of

parenting behavior, the control and warmth. Controlling parents set few rules and demands and

are considered as stricter while responsive parents are considerate and sensitive to their

children’s needs.

Parenting style affects the motivation of children. When parents are overprotective, their

children are more likely to engage in self-handicapping. For example, before taking examination

they might not study at all, consume alcohol, and attend parties late at night and making it as

an excuse for inadequate performance (Want & Kleitman, 2006).

Parenting involves both the mother and father on how they nurture their children. They

are a great influence in the motivation of their children. And the type of behavior that the

parents show towards their child may motivate or discouraged them in anything they do. In the
past, mothers are known to be more caring and are involved in their children’s performance at

school while fathers are known to be the provider of the needs of the family. Fathers may be

more involved in parenting and caring for children in recent times but their role in the family is

still mainly the breadwinners and providers of economic resources (Craig, 2006). In a study

conducted by Parke (2002), it was revealed that the impact of paternal parenting is expected to

be different from maternal parenting and it has something to do with their child’s academic

performance. It showed that children who performed well academically have fathers who are

more involved in their studies.

It is in this premise that the researcher came up with this study that intended to find out

the relationship of parenting behavior and the elementary pupils’ academic performance. In

finding out the relationship of parenting behavior and academic performance of elementary

pupils, it could help teachers, parents, pupils, guidance counselors and others in and improving

Independent Variable Dependent Variables

Parenting Behavior

• Mother Academic Performance

• Father

Figure 1. The relationships between the independent variable and dependent variable

Statement of the Problem and Hypothesis

This study aims to find out the relationship of parenting behavior and the elementary pupil’s

academic performance. Moreover, the study aimed to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of parenting behavior of mothers and fathers of the elementary pupils?
 2. What is the academic performance of elementary pupils who have parents with the same

and different parenting behavior?

4. What is the elementary pupils’ academic performance when grouped according to

mothers and fathers parenting behavior?

5. Is there a significant difference in the academic performance of elementary pupils who

have parents with the same and different parenting behavior?

6. Is there a significant difference in the academic performance of elementary pupils when

grouped according to mothers parenting behavior?

7. Is there a significant difference in the academic performance of elementary pupils when

grouped according to fathers parenting behavior?

Hypothesis

In view of the aforementioned questions, the following hypotheses are advanced:

(1) There is no significant difference in the academic performance of elementary

pupils who have parents with the same and different parenting behavior?

(2) There is no significant difference in the academic performance of elementary

pupils when grouped according to mothers’ parenting behavior?

(3) There is no significant difference in the academic performance of elementary

pupils when grouped according to fathers’ parenting behavior?

Significance of the Study

This study would be beneficial to the following:

 Pupils. This study will help them realize how their parents’ parenting behavior may

affect their academic performance at school.

Teachers. This study may help them think of better ways to improve their teaching

techniques, strategies and methods as adjusted to the child’s family background and personal

experiences that eventually would lead to better academic performance of pupils.

Parents. The findings of the study can provide awareness and information to parents

about what their children could acquire from their style of parenting.

School administrators. The result of the study allows students, entire school staff and

the community to have a better understanding about the effects of parenting practices.

Guidance Counselor. It could help them understand more about the different situation

involving the parent-child interaction and its effect. It could help them in dealing with such

problems and the idea on what and how to help their patients.

Other researchers. Further studies based on the findings of the current investigation

can be pursued to strengthen whatever information about the effects of parenting styles to the

academic performance of the child.

Definition of terms

The following important and technical term are conceptually and operationally defined

for easy understanding of this study:

Pupils-- a child or young person in school; one who has been taught or influenced by a

famous or distinguished person. (Dictionary.com)

 In this study, it means a child of a mother and father who is affected of how their

parents nurture them. The parental behaviors of the parents use affects the child’s academic

performance in school.

Parent--a person who is a father or a mother: a person who has a child. (Thesaurus,

2006)

In this study, it means the mother and father of the child who is the subject.

Parenting Behavior – plays an important role in molding a child. It shapes the child’s

physical and emotional need, impacting their social and cognitive development. (Panyam, 2017)

In this study, it means how the mothers and fathers deal with their children’s needs

especially in schools related activities.

Academic Performance--it is how a child, or a person behave and perform in school

good or bad at studying and at passing exams. (Meriam and Webster’s Dictionary)

In this study, it is how the child performs in school and how their performance is

affected by the way their parents nurture them or the parenting styles their parents use.

Delimitation of the Study

The major concern of this study was the effects of parenting styles on the elementary

pupil’s academic performance. The researcher will use a standardized checklist to determine the

effects of parenting styles on the academic performance of elementary pupils. The respondents

were the randomly selected pupils of Guimbal Central Elementary School. The data-gathering

instrument will be checklist (Scale of Parenting Style) on the how the parents deal with their
children needs and demands made by Abdul Gafoor K., and Abidha Kurukkan based on

Baumrind’s theory of parenting style. Descriptive data analysis utilizes means, standard

deviation. Inferential data analysis will be made with the use of t-test.