According to a report from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office, children from families with college degrees are much more likely to attend university than those whose parents don’t have such degrees.
In 2021, over half (56%) of adults aged 25-64 with at least one parent holding a university degree also had a university degree. This is three times higher than those whose parents had only vocational training or a high school diploma (19%), and almost five times higher than those whose parents had lower qualifications (12%). Overall, 24% of adults in this age group had a university degree regardless of their parents’ education.
People with lower qualifications have neither vocational training nor a high school diploma but only a lower or intermediate secondary school certificate. In 2022, 17% of people aged 25-64 in Germany fell into this category. Children of parents with lower qualifications often had similar low qualifications (40%). This rate drops significantly if parents had higher qualifications: only 7% of children of parents with vocational or high school diplomas and 3% of children of parents with university degrees were low-qualified.
Figure 1. Association between Parental Education and Children’s Academic Attainment
The above figure demonstrates the percentage of children with university degrees as a function of parental education. The lower panel reflects the percentage of children with lower educational attainment as a function of parental education.
This data highlights the strong correlation between parents’ education levels and children’s educational outcomes. However, it’s crucial to understand that parental education, while significant, is not the sole determinant of a child’s academic success. Motivation, support, and resource access also play vital roles in shaping educational outcomes.
Parents without higher education can contribute significantly to their children’s learning journey. They can encourage learning by showing interest in their child’s education and emphasizing its importance. Creating a supportive environment is key – providing a quiet study space and necessary materials can make a substantial difference. Engaging with the school by attending parent-teacher meetings and staying informed about their child’s progress is equally important. Additionally, community resources such as libraries, after-school programs, and tutoring services can provide valuable additional support.
Of particular interest here is the study by Day and Dotterer (2018), which examined how parents’ involvement in their kids’ education affects their grades. They focused on three types of involvement: home-based involvement, school-based involvement and academic socialization:
- Home-based involvement refers to parents’ engagement in activities at home, like overseeing homework, discussing school topics, and providing additional exercises to reinforce classroom learning.
- School-based involvement includes activities that happen within the school environment, such as interacting with teachers, attending parent-teacher meetings, participating actively in school events, and potentially contributing to school activities like fundraising or campaigns.
- Academic socialization involves how parents talk to their children about school and learning, conveying their expectations and beliefs about education. This includes discussions about the importance of school, connecting what is learned to future goals and careers, and exploring the relevance of education in their lives.
The authors found that the best results came when parents talked with their kids about education and got involved in school events. This kind of “academic socialization” had the biggest positive impact on teenagers’ school performance. Interestingly, parents didn’t realize how much these talks helped, but the kids said it made a difference, which was also reflected in their GPA. Furthermore, being active at school, like attending events and talking to teachers, also helped boost grades. It showed kids that school was important and made teachers see them more positively.
Surprisingly, helping with homework at home didn’t significantly improve grades. In fact, when parents got too involved with homework, grades were sometimes slightly lowered. This suggests that letting kids handle homework themselves might be better for their long-term success.
Overall, the study challenges the idea that helping with homework is the best way for parents to support their kids’ education. Instead, talking about school and being involved in school events are more effective ways for parents to help their kids do well in school.
While the statistics present a challenge, they don’t predetermine outcomes. Children from all backgrounds can succeed academically with the right support and strategies. The key is to focus on what can be done rather than viewing the situation as hopeless. Every small effort to support a child’s education can significantly impact their future opportunities. By implementing these strategies and maintaining a positive, supportive approach, parents can play a crucial role in their children’s educational success, regardless of their educational background.
