Chapter 1

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

The responsibility of training a child always lies in the hand of the parents. This is
congruent with the common assertion sociologist that education can be an instrument of
cultural change which is being taught from home is relevant in this discuss. It is not out of
place to imagine that parental socio–economic background can have possible effects on the
academic achievement of children in school. Whatsoever affect the development environment
of children would possibly affect their education or disposition to it. Parental status is one of
such variables. When a woman’s nutritional status improves, so too does the statues of her
children (Lisa et al., 2003).
“Parents of different occupation classes often have different styles of child rearing,
different ways of disciplining their children and different ways of reacting to their children.
These differences do not express themselves consistently as expected in the case of every
family; rather they influence the average tendencies of families for different occupational
classes.” (Rothestein, 2004).
Associated from the above assertion, Hill et al. (2004) had exhorted that socio-
economic status of parents do not only affect the academic performance, but also makes it
possible for children from low background to compete well their counterparts from high
socio- economic background under the same academic environment.
Moreover, Smith, Fagan and Ulvund (2002) had guaranteed that significant predicator
of intellectual performance at age of 8 years included parental socio- economic status (SES).
In the same vein, other researchers had posited that parental SES could affect school children
as to bring about flexibility to adjustment to the different school schedules (Guerin et al.,
2001). In a previous local finding in Nigeria, Oni (2007) and Omoegun (2007) had averred
that there is significant difference between the rates of deviant bahaviour among students
from high and low socio- economic statuses.
The health status of the children which could also be traceable to parental socio-
economic background can be another factor that can affect the academic performance of the
students. Adewale (2002) had recorded that in a rural community where nutritional status is
relatively low and health problems are prevalent, children academic performance is greatly
hindered. This assertion is again hinged on nature of parental socio- economic background.
Furthermore, Eze (1996) had opined that when a child get proper nutrition, healthcare,
stimulation during pre- school years, the ability to interact with take optimal advantage of the
full complement of resources offered by any formal learning environment is enhanced.
The foregoing discussion had established that socio – economic status and host of
other factors relating to home environment of students, such as educational background of
parents, health status of students, parental occupation and family size could have effects on
children academic achievement.
In developing country like Nigeria, it has been reported on the influence of socio-
economic background on students’ academic performance in Nigerian Universities. Due to
high level of illiteracy, some Nigerian family view an undergraduate student in the university
as an adult that can fend himself and who should demand less of financial support from
his/her family.
In the Philippines, a progressive country with high rates of poverty and input deficit in
basic education, school dropout rates are high especially among the poor. In response to the
lack of parental involvement literature situated in the Philippine context, the present study
employed a phenomenological approach to explore and examine the experience of low
income parents regarding their involvement in their children’s education.
In Agusan del Sur, one of the richest island in Mindanao when it comes to natural
resources yet considered as the place that has difficulty in gaining money. Some students,
especially to those who are belong to the low class families want to complete their studies
with degree but find it impossible for there are a lot of hindrances particularly in terms of
their parents’ socio- economic status.
It is against this background that this work is being undertaken to empirically
investigate the possible effect of these factors on students’ academic achievement in selected
schools in the state. This study aims at investigating the possibility of parental socio–
economic background playing a significant role on students’ academic performance.
1.2 Conceptual Framework
Academic performance is a function of various variables. Such variables include time,
parental factors, government policy, behavior, conditions of study, teachers’ ability, etc.
However, this study focuses on those factors that are related to parental occupation which
affects students’ performance in school. Academic performance is due to the occupation of a
child’s parent. The independent variables for this study parental socio economic orientation
and parental level of education. The dependent variable on the other hand was students’
academic performance of Grade 12 students in Sta. Josefa National High School - Senior
High School.
The illustration of such performance in relation to the parents is illustrated below:

PARENTAL SOCIAL ECONOMIC
ORIENTATION
 Parental income
 Parental occupation and family
work culture
 Ability to provide food, digital
equipment’s, leisure etc. LEARNING MOTIVATION
 Availability of free time for
parents
 Number of meals consumed per
day
PARENTAL LEVEL OF EDUCATION

STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC
 Highly Educated PERFORMANCE OF GRADE 12
 Highly Motivated SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
 Problem Solving Strategies
Figure 1.1 Conceptual Frameworks
1.3 Statement of the Problem
The central problem of this study is to determine the effects of parental occupation to
academic performance of the students. As a result, this study sought to investigate the extent
to which parents’ education, occupation and academic motivation of wards to determine the
academic achievements of Grade 12 Senior High School. Precisely, this study aims to answer
the following questions:
1. What is the academic performance of Grade 12 students?
2. What are the effects of parental occupation on the academic performance of Grade 12
students?
3. How does parental involvement in education impact on the academic performance of
their students in Sta. Josefa Senior High School?
4. What will happen to the academic performance of students when their parents do not
have enough salary to support them?
1.4 Significance of the Study
It is important to determine the relative effects of parents’ occupation and academic
motivation of wards on students’ achievement in Senior High School. Aside from the
students and parents, this study will give benefits to many people in the society. The
beneficiaries and how they will benefit to the said study are the following:
STUDENTS- This study will help students to know the effects of their parents’ occupation on
their academic performance.
PARENTS- With this study, parents would be able to know the effects of their occupation to
the academic performance of their children.
TEACHERS- This study will give teachers awareness and better understanding on their
students’ situation. It also gives teachers aid to educate and guide students.
SCHOOL HEADS- This study will suggest implementation of awareness programs among
the effects of parents’ occupation to students’ academic performance.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- This study will give the department an insight of
understanding the effects of parent’s occupation on student’s academic performance.

1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study focuses on the effects of parental occupation of Grade 12 students of Sta.
Josefa National High school - Senior high School. It is limited on the participants who are the
151 Grade 12 students only and it will be conducted in Sta. Josefa Senior High School. This
study is dependent on the experience of the participants and what their answers to the
questions. Informants and participants have varying degrees of knowledge and experiences
with the effects of parental occupation on students’ academic performance. Therefore, It is
subjective. Since administrative permission is necessary to gain access to informants,
principals and advisers of the said participants will be informed of the study and its purpose.
However, the researchers acknowledge the weaknesses which may not allow this
research to achieve the expected generality of this study.
1.6 Definition of Terms
The following words below are the unfamiliar terms used in the study. This is to
provide sufficient information considering that all readers could understand the terminologies
used. This words and phrases are both defined operational and objective.
PARENTAL OCCUPATION- refers to the parent’s occupation of the student.
SOCIO- ECONOMIC STATUS- the economic and sociological work experience of the
student’s parents.
NUTRITIONAL STATUS- one of the factors that is affected by the socio- economic status
of a family.

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Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

academic achievement of children in school. Whatsoever affect the development environment

children (Lisa et al., 2003).

classes.” (Rothestein, 2004).

socio- economic background under the same academic environment.

from high and low socio- economic statuses.

full complement of resources offered by any formal learning environment is enhanced.

other factors relating to home environment of students, such as educational background of

children academic achievement.

economic background on students’ academic performance in Nigerian Universities. Due to

employed a phenomenological approach to explore and examine the experience of low

income parents regarding their involvement in their children’s education.

their parents’ socio- economic status.

It is against this background that this work is being undertaken to empirically

economic background playing a significant role on students’ academic performance.

1.2 Conceptual Framework

Academic performance is a function of various variables. Such variables include time,

affects students’ performance in school. Academic performance is due to the occupation of a

The illustration of such performance in relation to the parents is illustrated below:

PARENTAL LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Frameworks

1.3 Statement of the Problem

the following questions:

1. What is the academic performance of Grade 12 students?

their students in Sta. Josefa Senior High School?

have enough salary to support them?

1.4 Significance of the Study

It is important to determine the relative effects of parents’ occupation and academic

their academic performance.

the academic performance of their children.

the effects of parents’ occupation to students’ academic performance.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- This study will give the department an insight of

understanding the effects of parent’s occupation on student’s academic performance.

with the effects of parental occupation on students’ academic performance. Therefore, It is

subjective. Since administrative permission is necessary to gain access to informants,

research to achieve the expected generality of this study.

1.6 Definition of Terms

PARENTAL OCCUPATION- refers to the parent’s occupation of the student.

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