Family Backgrounds Shape Parental Involvement Activities Outside of School in the United States

• In Event: Support Strategies for Student Learning and Development

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether parental involvement activities outside of school are varied by family background in the United States. Bourdieu’s cultural capital theory is grounded in this study. Data come from the National Household Education Surveys (NHES) in 2007 of Parent and Family Involvement in Education Survey (PFI). The results show that dad marriage status and parent education level are significantly and positively related to parental involvement activities outside of school, while household income and mom marriage status are non-significantly associated with it. Moreover, White children are significantly less involved in activities outside of school with their parents, while Black children are significantly more involved in activities outside of school with their parents.

Authors

• Xia Zhao, Lehigh University

• Qiong Fu, Lehigh University