Exploring parent’s role, involvement and challenges in the most critical stage of their children’s development

Abstract

The role and involvement of the parents towards their
 children’s education is indispensable especially in the formative
 years. Nowadays, these crucial role and involvement has been
 confronted by the uprising economic constraints in the Philippines
 especially in the rural areas. Furhermore, empirical literatures
 reported the decreasing parental involvement. Hence, the study aims
 to explore parent’s role, involvement and challenges in the education
 of their children in the formative years. This study used a qualitative
 method of research employing phenomenological method of
 investigation to gather necessary data through an interview guide
 from 8 informants who were purposively chosen. Three major
 themes were elicited: Parent’s role as Replica, Guide and Provider;
 Limited involvement due to educational attainment, poverty and
 livelihood; and Parents’ involvement as immense factor to children’s
 success which imply that parents were fully aware of their respective
 roles and that poverty, educational attainment and their livelihood
 are the key factors affecting their roles. It was further revealed that
 despite financial challenges, informants were still having positive
 attitude towards the value of education in the success of their
 children. It is concluded that informants are well aware of their
 respective roles and involvement in the education of their parents
 leading them to have a positive attitude on the value of education for
 their children. It is recommended that extension or cause-oriented
 programs be conceptualized to help parents in performing their
 respective crucial roles.