Links:
Relationships within the microsystem have a powerful influence on students' socioemotional development. For example, relationships with parents and peers help to shape students' attitudes toward education, their beliefs about themselves, and their choice of extracurricular activities. Given their significance, it is important for teachers to consider aspects of these relationships that are particularly relevant to the classroom including parenting styles and social acceptance.
PARENTING STYLES
The four widely recognized parenting styles (def: approaches to child-rearing) include authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and indulgent. Researchers have linked each style to the development of certain characteristics among children. However, the findings did not hold true for all individuals or all cultural groups and, therefore, should be applied cautiously.
1. authoritarian--parents demand obedience and respect from children ("I am the parent. Do as I say. End of discussion."); children may exhibit anxiety and under-developed social and communication skills
2. authoritative--parents set firm limits for children but are supportive and encouraging; children may be socially competent and have high self-reliance and self-esteem
3. neglectful--parents are uninvolved in their children's lives and give the impression that other things are more important; children may be socially incompetent and have difficulty with self-control, self-reliance, and motivation.
4. Indulgent--parents place few limits on their children, even though they are very involved in their lives; children may have difficulty with self-control
Other aspects of parent-child relationships that may impact students' behavior and performance include involvement in their education and changes in marital status, employment, etc.
PEER STATUS
Students' socioemotional development is also impacted by friendship. Research has shown that students with friends tend to perform better academically and experience less distress than those without friends. their friendship status is also closely tied to their status among peers. Psychologists have outlined five possible peer statuses including popular, average, rejected, neglected, and controversial.
RESOURCES