Parents' Socioeconomic Profile, Students' Family Structure, Family Size and Their Nonacademic Problems

Abstract

This study examined the socioeconomic status (SES) of the participants’ parents, family structure, family size and the most common nonacademic problems that interfere the learning of the participants at all times. The descriptive survey method is to be utilized in this study. The tools used in gathering the data is mixed in its form. One is an adapted survey checklist for the SES and a researcher made questionnaire. This study was conducted in a certain university. The 484 of the male and female students who enrolled in the summer time of the Academic Year 2013 – 2014 are the participants of this investigative work. After the examination of the gathered data, the researchers discovered that some of the participants’ parents are highly educated and only few belong to the lowest educational attainment. Only few of the participants’ parents landed to the highest level of occupation and as such many of the participants’ parents have their combined monthly income at twenty thousand and below. Middle class is the prevailing SES of the participants. The majority of the participants belong to nuclear family structure. The few of the participants are living with extended family and few also are raised by single parent. Many of the participants have four or more brothers and sisters. Depression and emotional problem are the most common nonacademic problems that interfere participant’s learning at all times. In closing, although to finish a degree is not an assurance that one could get a high paying job; however, educated parents still send their children to school despite their monthly earning could be insufficient or just enough to support their basic needs. It is believed that the key to success in life is through education. Furthermore, small number of family members could be a great help to avoid financial constraint. In addition, living in a family with the mother and father around would mean a lot to a student. Losing one of them could cause emotional disturbances which may lead to depression.