Three quarters of British parents feel ‘under pressure’ to make sure their child does better than they did at school.
As families prepare to start a new academic year, a study of 1,000 parents and 1,000 children in school years 1-11 found one in five households feel ‘strained’ due to the demands of homework.
And a further quarter said school work impacts on quality time spent as a family.
More than one third said their youngsters’ success is so important to them because they want them to do better at school than they personally did.
The final year of primary school was pinpointed as the most pressured time for both parents and children, with the leap to secondary school affecting family life.
Over half of respondents said a child’s homework is regularly the centre of conversations in their house and 62 per cent of mums and dads admitted they put their child’s work before their own.
Maths was revealed as the subject which requires the most time and attention according to 45 per cent of parents, followed by English which more than a quarter chose as the most time-consuming area.
Almost half (47 per cent) of primary school children and 44 per cent of secondary admitted to wanting their parents’ help with homework.
The research was commissioned by Collins, leading publisher of school, homework and revision books.
Colin Hughes, managing director of Collins, said: “We know that parents are passionate about their children thriving at school.
“This passion can translate into parents feeling under significant amounts of pressure.
“What is important to note however, is that despite homework often causing strain at home, the majority of children want their parents’ help.
“As families prepare for the new school year, we can provide support and encouragement to both parents and school children and help take some of the pressure off.”
Seven in 10 students at both primary (71 per cent) and secondary (73 per cent) agree their parents’ support helps them do better at school.
And more than one third – 35 per cent of primary aged children and 37 per cent secondary aged – admitted they would struggle on their own.
According to 42 per cent of parents, their main concern when it comes to their child’s education is their confidence being affected while more than two thirds fear their child may not get the grades they want or need.
A further four in 10 worry their child’s grades will affect what people think of their parenting skills, while four in five said one of the proudest moments of being a parent is seeing their child ‘thrive’ in education.
Three in 10 surveyed via OnePoll admitted to comparing their child’s success to others and believe social media has put pressure on them.
Similarly, more than one third believe social media distorts reality by only showing positive posts.
And one quarter of mums and dads agreeing other parents shouldn’t post updates on their child’s behalf.
Colin Hughes added: “As well as working closely with schools, we understand what it is to be a parent navigating the education system.
“Collins has many books that help families find answers to questions about schoolwork, homework and revision quickly and easily.
“We hope to ease some of the pressures parents feel under at key times during their child’s school journey.”
ENDS
