THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTAL DEMOGRAPHICS, PARENTING STYLES AND STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationship between demographic characteristics, parenting styles and academic achievement involving elementary school students. Participants in this study are the parents of students in fifth and sixth grades of public schools in Tirana. A measuring instrument, which was adapted from the literature (Robinson, Mandleco, Olsen and Hart, 1995), was applied (N = 220). Quantitative methods were used and data were processed with SPSS. The study finds that parenting styles and demographic characteristics were associated primarily with the educational level of parents. Children’s academic achievements are related to parenting styles. Demographic characteristics showed a relationship with parenting style. The dominating parenting style is authoritarian, which is connected with the family’s low social status and economic level. Parenting with an authoritative style, which is different from the more severe authoritarian style, shows more successful results in terms of high academic achievement.