Family capital and parental involvement among parents in public elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines: perspectives of parents and children

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper examines the different forms of family capital in the context of parental involvement in children’s schooling. This paper has three-fold goals. First, it ascertains the level of parental involvement of Filipino parents as perceived by the parents themselves and their children. Second, it investigates the impacts of various forms of capital on parental involvement. Third, it determines which type of capital will have a significant impact on parental involvement. This paper is based on a survey among elementary and secondary students and their parents of purposively selected 29 elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines. These schools were selected as they were part of a corporate social responsibility project. This paper concludes that parental involvement among parents from low-income households is generally low. Parents are relatively more involved in parenting for education. Results of the multiple regression analysis reveal that membership in CCT (Conditional Cash Transfer), participation in community activities, parent’s level of education, and family size predicted parental involvement. The results point to the idea that parents with better social and human capital are likely the ones who will be more involved in their children’s education.