Exploring Filipino adolescents' perceptions of the legitimacy of parental authority over academic behaviors

Abstract

Filipino adolescents' perceptions regarding the legitimacy of parental control over academic behaviors was investigated. It was assumed that the adolescents would differentiate between the issues inherent in various types or domains of academic behaviors. The results revealed three domains of academic behaviors: learning processes, college major choices, and subject choices. Perceived legitimacy of parental control was negatively associated with individual-oriented achievement motivations for all three domains, but social-oriented achievement motivations were positively associated only with legitimacy perceptions of parental control on subject choices. Multiple regression analysis indicated that school achievement was negatively associated with perceived legitimacy of parental control over learning processes, but positively associated with legitimacy perceptions of control over subject choice. The results extend current theorizing about legitimacy of parental control to the realm of academic behaviors. Implications for learning interventions and parenting advocacies are discussed.