Parental attitude towards discipline and the attainment of the child

Abstract

This study analyses several parental attitudes in respect of discipline and control and their consequent influence upon the attainment of the child. The study was carried out by means of an investigation through a questionnaire, regarding home background with special reference to discipline, given to a sample of 10-11 year olds in Government Primary Schools. Three main regions were considered, Region I, the Inner Harbour Region, Region II, the Outer Harbour Region and Region III, the South Eastern Area. The home background with special reference to to discipline, was compared with the results of the children, obtained in English, Mathematics and Maltese of two examinations, the Year 5 (1978-79) and Year 6 (1979-80). It was found that parental attitudes towards discipline do have a certain degree of influence on the child's attainment, in some instances positively, in others negatively.