Culture and Demographic Influences on South Asians’ Parental Involvement in Their Children’s Education

• In Event: Considerations for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Families in Family, School, Community Partnerships

Abstract

Despite being among the highest achievers in education and income and constituting one of the fastest-growing subgroups in the United States, South Asians have remained understudied. A survey was administered to first-generation Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani parents of K–12 children attending public schools in Southwest Florida to collect quantitative data. The cross-tabulation showed a statistical significance between parents' expectations, educational level, and involvement in children's academic achievement. However, parental income and cultural background had no statistically significant relationships with parental involvement and children's education. The findings of this study carry significant implications for a wide range of stakeholders, including educational leaders, policymakers, educators, and parents to formulate policies and strategies to improve the educational achievements of diverse students.

Authors

• Shahid Rasool, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Hasan Aydin, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Jingshun Zhang, Florida Gulf Coast University