Exploring the relationship between parenting style and academic excellence in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The early socialisation process led by parents plays a fundamental role in shaping a child's personality and their understanding of themselves and the world around them. This has spurred numerous studies exploring parenting styles and their implications on child development. Hence, this study aimed to explore the relationship between parenting styles and academic excellence among secondary school students in Saudi Arabia. This study recruited 111 male secondary school students from three different state schools in Alkhobar city to answer the questionnaire. It involves questioning students about their parents' parenting styles, covering both the father's and mother's approaches. The questionnaire comprises 32 items divided into four sections. The findings of this study indicated a positive relationship between a father's neglectful parenting style and a child's academic achievement. Furthermore, a mother's authoritarian parenting style positively affected a child's academic achievement. Additionally, despite authoritative parenting being the most commonly used style, there was no discernible difference based on academic achievement. This study underscored the importance of parents understanding the significant impact of their parenting styles on their children's academic success. Additionally, educators and policymakers should consider the influence of parenting styles when designing educational interventions and support systems, aiming to foster positive academic outcomes for all students. The results of this study may inform the creation of educational initiatives focused on enhancing parental engagement and support for students' academic pursuits, thereby enhancing their prospects for the future. Furthermore, these findings can guide school administrators and policymakers in crafting initiatives to foster positive parenting approaches conducive to academic achievement.