The impact of parental involvement on the future perspective of the adolescent learner in Siyabushwa : a situation analysis

Abstract

The central problem guiding this research focuses on the nature of Siyabuswa adolescent learners' future perspective. An in-depth literature study pertaining research methodology was undertaken. Qualitative research methodology was applied to gather information. A situation analysis was conducted in order to scrutinize the orientation of learners towards education and to determine the nature and impact of parental involvement, on the future perspective of their adolescent learners. A pilot study was executed and data gathered for this study were analysed and interpreted. The results served as indicators for the compiling of questionnaires for the unstructured interviews with parents and adolescents. The empirical study indicated various factors that impact negatively on the future perspective of the Siyabuswa adolescent learners. Learners were negatively affected by the following: <ul><li> Surrogate parenting. </li><li> Educational level of parents. </li><li> Learning culture. </li><li> Personal circumstances of parents. </li><li> Teachers' attitude in the Siyabuswa area. </li><li>The impact of the country's state of affairs. <br></li></ul> Two main questions of the study were answered as follows: The nature of the future perspective of the adolescent learners in the Siyabuswa area reflected: <ul><li> a negative attitude towards school tasks, </li><li>a negative attitude towards authority, </li><li> a negative attitude towards the "self",</li><li> failure to comply to academic demands, </li><li>poor school attendance, </li><li> non participation in school-related co-curriculum activities, and </li><li>lack of self-responsibility. <br></li></ul> The nature and extent of parental involvement in the development of the adolescent learners' future perspective indicated that: <ul><li> parents do not set examples by reading for pleasure, </li><li> limited provision of extra learning material is made available at home, </li><li> limited goal setting for the year is done with the child, </li><li> parents lack interest in their children's school work and school related activities, </li><li> limited motivation and encouragement is provided, and </li><li>limited authoritative guidance and control is offered. <br></li></ul>