Question

Which of the following statements about parents' influence on children's academic performance is true?

a. Children whose parents have high expectations of them tend do well in school.
b. Children whose parents have low expectations for their school performance tend to earn high grades.
c. Parents who have high expectations tend to be less involved in their children's education.
d. Children whose parents expect them to do well usually do not live up to those expectations.

Answer 1

Children whose parents have high expectations generally perform better academically, a trend supported by studies on parenting styles and socioeconomic factors that influence education. Wealthier parents usually provide more support and resources, which facilitates children's success in school.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to this question is that children whose parents have high expectations of them tend to do well in school. Researchers like Annette Lareau have found that higher-income parents are more likely to engage deeply with their children's education, fostering their talents and encouraging them to question and negotiate with authority figures. Consequently, this active role and high expectations typically result in better academic performance for their children. In contrast, children from lower-income backgrounds may face more challenges such as less family support, few resources, and work obligations outside of school that can hinder their academic success. These factors are compounded by educational systems that align more closely with the lifestyles of those from higher socioeconomic statuses.

Moreover, parenting styles can also influence children's socioemotional growth and by extension, their academic performance. Diana Baumrind's research on this topic highlights that authoritative parenting, which combines warmth and structure, tends to yield the best outcomes in terms of self-esteem and social skills for American children.