The Dynamics of Family Structure and Its Impact on Educational Achievement
Title: The Dynamics of Family Structure and its impact on Educational Achievement
A Paper Presented in partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements of HS817 Social Systems
April 16, 2007
Abstract
This paper will examine the effects of family structure and its influence on educational achievement. The link between family structure and educational achievement suggests that children living in nuclear families are more successful academically. Research has consistently shown that family structure can facilitate or limit the ways in which parents are able to positively influence the future educational outcomes of their children. Family influences on children’s educational achievement are evident throughout literature; it has been shown that the influences of family structure impacts children’s academic success across grades, gender, and ethnic groups (Marchant, G. J., Paulson, S. E., and Rothlisberg, B. A., 2001).
Table of Contents
Table of contents ii
Introduction 1
Define Family Structure 1
Family/Parental Involvement Impact on Education 2
Literature For and Against Family Structure and its impact on Education 4
Significance of Family from System Theory Approach 5
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory of Development 5
Conclusion and Relevance 6
References 8
Introduction Research on family structure has generally shown a connection between non-traditional family structure
A Paper Presented in partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements of HS817 Social Systems
April 16, 2007
Abstract
This paper will examine the effects of family structure and its influence on educational achievement. The link between family structure and educational achievement suggests that children living in nuclear families are more successful academically. Research has consistently shown that family structure can facilitate or limit the ways in which parents are able to positively influence the future educational outcomes of their children. Family influences on children’s educational achievement are evident throughout literature; it has been shown that the influences of family structure impacts children’s academic success across grades, gender, and ethnic groups (Marchant, G. J., Paulson, S. E., and Rothlisberg, B. A., 2001).
Table of Contents
Table of contents ii
Introduction 1
Define Family Structure 1
Family/Parental Involvement Impact on Education 2
Literature For and Against Family Structure and its impact on Education 4
Significance of Family from System Theory Approach 5
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory of Development 5
Conclusion and Relevance 6
References 8
Introduction Research on family structure has generally shown a connection between non-traditional family structure
References: Ecological Theory of Development According to Bronfenbrenner’s (1986) ecological development theory the family system’s framework is useful for understanding the way family structure can influence children’s educational achievement levels Research perspectives. Developmental Psychology, 22(6), 723-742. Retrieved February12, 2007 from EBSCOhost Database. Entwisle, D. R. and Alexander, K. L. (1995). A parent’s economic shadow: family structure versus resources as influence on early school achievement Marriage and the Family, 57(2), 399-410. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from ProQuest Psychology Journals. Entwisle, D. R. and Alexander, K. L. (1996). Family type and children’s growth in reading and math over the primary grades 341-355. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from ProQuest Psychology Journals. Jarrett, R. L. & Burton, L. M. (1999). Dynamic dimensions of family structure in low- income African American families: Emergent themes in qualitative research of Comparative Family Studies, 30(2), 177-187. Retrieved January 29, 2007 from ProQuest Psychology Journals. Krein, S., & Beller, A. (1988). Educational attainment of children from single-parent families: Differences by exposure, gender, and race Retrieved February 12, 2007 from ProQuest Journals. Marchant, G. J., Paulson, S. E., and Rothlisberg, B. A. (2001). Relations of middle school students’ perceptions of family and school contexts with academic achievement. Psychology in the Schools, 38(6), 505-519. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from ProQuest Journals. Mulkey, L., Crain, R., & Harrington, A. (1992). One-parent households and achievement: Economic and behavioral explanations of small effect 48- 65. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from ProQuest Journals. Patterson, C., Kupersmidt, J., & Vaden, N. (1990). Income level, gender, ethnicity, and household composition as predictors of children’s school-based competence Development, 6(2), 485-494. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from EBSCO Database. Pong, S., Dronkers, J., & Hampden-Thompson, G. (2003). Family policies and children’s school achievement in single versus two parent families Family, 65(3), 681-699. Retrieved January 29, 2007 from ProQuest Psychology Journals. Popenoe, D. (1993.) American family decline, 1960-1990: A review and appraisal. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 55(3), 527-542. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from ProQuest Journals. Stacey, J. (1993). Good riddance to "the family": Response to David Popenoe. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 55(3), 545-547 Teachman, J., Paasch, K., & Carver, K. (1997). Social capital and the generation of human capital U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (1999). The condition of education,1999 Wu, F. & Qi, S. (2006). Longitudinal effects of parenting on children’s academic