Social class and parenting style have a significant impact on parental involvement in children's education and on children's educational achievements. This influence is complex and multidimensional, as it involves cultural, social, and economic factors that intertwine and co-dependently shape the child's educational process. A. H. Halsey, A. F. Heath, and J. M. Ridge, in their study, demonstrated how social class strongly influences individuals' educational opportunities and outcomes. The research highlights that children from higher social classes are more likely to succeed in education compared to children from lower social classes.
This thesis explores the impact of social class and different parenting styles on parental involvement in their children's education and the consequences of these factors on children's academic success. The research is based on a theoretical review of sociological and pedagogical concepts, as well as empirical studies.
The research described by Lareau (2003) in her book Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life is based on a study of 88 African-American and White families, aiming to understand the influence of social class on family life. As an ethnographic study (which involves participant observation, closely observing family life, direct involvement of the researcher in family events/conversations, interviews with children and their parents and siblings), her work offers a deep and intimate view of family life that quantitative data cannot reveal. This thesis focuses on her research, which shows how social class shapes parenting practices and interactions with educational institutions. Specifically, I emphasize the difference between the parenting approaches of the middle class, such as concerted cultivation, and the parenting practices of the working class, which place greater emphasis on the natural growth of children.
The research finds that social class significantly impacts children's academic success, with children from middle-class families more likely to receive active parental support and have access to educational resources. The work highlights the need to reduce educational inequalities through appropriate educational policies that would ensure equal opportunities for children from different social backgrounds.
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