ABSTRACT
Student motivation is influenced by not only parents but also teachers and peers. Research has documented a strong relationship between family background characteristics, such as income and educational levels, and children's educational achievement. Studies have also revealed that parents do and can play an important role in assisting their children with their academic achievement. Research findings concerning the relationship between parental involvement and student outcomes generally indicate that the quality and type of parental involvement is more important than the quantity/level of involvement. The quality of parents' involvement in homework depends on four dimensions: autonomy support versus control; process versus person focus; positive versus negative affect; and positive versus negative beliefs about children's potential. Research has revealed that parents' perceived competence in assisting their children was related to both their type and level of involvement. Family environments are strong predictors of children's cognitive and socio emotional skills.
