Effects of the Educational Level/Status of Parents on their Children

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What effect does the educational level/status of parents have on the post-high school graduation aspirations of their children? The hypothesis is that the educational status of parents does affect their children’s post-high school aspirations. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the educational status of parents impacts the educational/work choices/future aspirations of their children. The assumptions of this study are that students whose parents have achieved a higher level of education will have higher aspirations for their own future. Tangential assumptions are that parents with a higher educational status will be more involved in their children’s education and will be of a higher socioeconomic status.

The study will consist of a survey which will be administered to current English IV students at a local high school. The survey will consist of questions asking about the educational levels of both parents, the marital status of the parents, the aspirations the parents have for their children, and the students’ own plans and aspirations in their education and future work goals.

It has been a long standing question as to whether a parent’s educational status can influence their children’s future educational or work aspirations. In this research study, the terms "educational level/status" will mean the highest educational level or degree achieved by either parent, and the term "post-high school aspirations" will mean the plans students have for after their high school graduation.

The influence of the educational status of parents on the future goals of their children is one which this writer has often been curious about and reflected upon. There has been research on similar topics, which this paper will examine. ...

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...rs of Adolescents' Academic Performance. [S.l.]: Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse.

Otto, L. B. & Haller, A. O. (1979). Evidence for a social psychological view of the status attainment process: Four studies compared. Social Forces 57(3):887-914.

Sewell, W. H., & Shah, V. P. (1968). Parents' education and children's educational aspirations and achievements. American Sociological Review. Retrieved February 10, 2014, from http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/wlsresearch/publications/files/public/Sewell-Shah_Parents.Education.and.Childrens.Educational.Aspirations.and.Achievement.pdf

Sewell, W. H. & Hauser, R. M. (1975). Education, occupation, and earnings: Achievement in the early career. New York: Academic Press.

Wilson, P. M. & Wilson, J. R. (1992). Environmental influences on adolescent educational aspirations: A logistic transform model. Youth & Society. 24(1):52-70.

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