, Research Paper
Parental Pressure within High School Students
I.I became interested in this topic because my entire academic life has
been filled with pressure from my parents. This pressure was mainly in school
and grades, and in high school, the amount of pressure increased dramatically.
This is because my parents now realized that everything in high school counts
towards college. When I first came to high school, my grades were not as good
as they were in middle school. I needed a little time to adapt to high school
before I could improve my grades. During this time, my parents became upset
because I brought home a report card that was not as good as they were expecting.
Then I really noticed the pressure getting higher and higher. I did not only
notice this with me, but I noticed this with many of my friends. I heard
phrases like ?My parents are going to kill me? and ?I’m going to be grounded for
10 years? many times so when the opportunity to do research on this came up, I
chose this as my subject.
II. How does parental pressure influence students in high school? If there
is an influence, is it positive or negative? I would like to do research on
this because it raised my curiosity. For me personally, I do better in school
if I am calm and have little pressure, but there might be students out there at
Ramapo High School that think differently. These are some of the things that I
will try to find out through this I-Search.
III.At the beginning of my search, I had a really hard time finding
secondary sources. First, I went to the school library. Since the school
library has this computer program called BELS, there was no need to go to the
other libraries. BELS is a program that lists all the books in Franklin Lakes,
Wyckoff, and Oakland. It is a network that unites the two public libraries and
the one in Indian Hills. I then went to an article search. I had no luck here
either. When I went home, I went on America Online to try to find some articles
or any secondary sources. I went to the article search and still found nothing.
After a few days, I asked the school librarian to help me find some books. She
guided me to a section that had books about social problems. Luckily, I found
two books on families and parents. These were two good books, but I still
needed at least one more to fulfill my requirement. I went to the Special
Services department and talked to a person there. She gladly offered help. She
said that she would look through her stuff and try to find what she could on
this subject. Then she told me to come back after school to pick up whatever
she had. I returned after the school day ended and went back to the Special
Services department. She was waiting there with two books and an article.
Although I found that one of the books that I was given was not a real good help,
the others were. My secondary sources were finished and now I had to move on to
my primary sources. These were much easier because I did not need to search for
anything. I interviewed two classmates during some free time I had in class,
and put out a survey. These also helped a lot in giving me information I could
use. Since I had all of my sources, I then proceeded with the notecards.
IV.Do parents of high school students put too much pressure on their
children? The students would probably say yes, and the parents would probably
say no. Parents would probably say that they just want the best for their
children. Sometimes, though, this ?good cause? leads into disaster when the
parents take it too far. This could be by the fault of the parent or the child.
This means that either the child provokes the parent by doing badly in school,
or the parents do not become satisfied with the child’s achievement and takes
over their lives.
When the parents concentrate on grades alone, they become like a
dictator and not a friend. They do not care about anything else such as social
problems and sports (Webb pg.24). This causes the child to overachieve. This
means that the child thinks that the only way he/she can get the affection and
respect of his/her parents is to bring home good grades. At this point,
anything that does not deal with grades or academics is worthless to the child,
and furthermore the child does not care (Webb pg.25). When this happens, the
child focuses so much on grades, he/she misses out on being a normal teenager.
This includes going out with friends, dances, hobbies, and sports. Also, the
child feels lonely and ends up having to practice growing up and being an adult
by herself because his/her parents do not care (Webb pg.26). Sometimes parents
get so caught up with their child’s grades that they always ?check over? their
homework when all they are doing is doing it for them. The teachers notice this
and punish the student and not the parent (Gaillard). Klagsbrun(1976) states, ?
Suicidal students are seldom satisfied with their grades, no matter how high
they are.”
Parents can also put pressure on their child even when praising their
good grades and efforts. For example, when a child does extremely well in one
subject, the parents become happy and praise the child. At the same time, the
child is doing poorly in another subject but is just afraid to tell his/her
parents because it might make them upset. This pressures the child and he/she
does not know what to do (Rubin pg.143).
Pressure can also be deadly. Here are two cases. First, a fifteen year
old honors student (and an Eagle Scout) stood up in the middle of his English
class and shot himself. He did this because he was given a notice, that was to
be signed by his parents, saying that he was doing badly in class (Guetzloe
pg.65). The second case is another teenage suicide. A ten year old boy
received bad grades on his report card for the third time. He left his report
card at school knowing that if he brought it home he would be punished. When he
went home, without his report card, his father got suspicious. He went to the
school to pick it up, and in the half hour that he was gone, the little boy shot
himself. His brother remembered him saying that he could not stand the idea of
a whipping (Guetzloe pg.63). There have been many more suicide incidents and
Seiden (1966) suggested that ?increasing pressure for academic achievement would
lead to an increase in suicide rate among the student population? (Guetzloe
pg.65).
In a recent survey of sophomores in Ramapo High School, more than half
stated that they had a lot of pressure relating to school. Some came from
parents and some came from themselves. A person answering this survey stated, ?
Most of my pressure about grades and school and college comes from myself. Last
year, the pressure was so bad that I made myself sick.” According to Garfinkel,
3 of 10 leading causes of stress in adolescents are school related and 1 of 10
suicide attempts is related to a crises at school (Guetzloe pg.64). Also, in
this survey, 15 of 43 students have siblings that do better in school than they
do, and 10 of those students have parents expecting them to do as well as
his/her sibling.
Kelly Leaman and Tyler Mills were both interviewed and both students
stated that they have families that do extremely well in school. Kelly states, ?
My whole family is smart, and they all go (or went) to good colleges.” In the
issue of pressure affecting their school performance, Tyler said that he has a
good amount of pressure and that without it, he would probably do worse. Kelly
on the other hand, said that she would do a lot better if she had less pressure
from her parents.
Being a good parent means being there and having confidence in a child.
A parent should provide outstretched arms for a safe place when the child might
need it. The child should be relaxed and should be enjoying school. Maybe the
child will get good grades because he/she wants to (Webb pg.25).
Works Cited
Gaillard, Lee ?Hands Off Homework?? Education Week 14 December 1994
Guetzloe, Elennor C. Youth Suicide: What the Educators Should Know. New York:
The Council for Exceptional Children, 1989.
Leaman, Kelly – interview
Mills, Tyler – interview
Rubin, Dr. Jeffrey and Dr. Carol When Families Fight. New York: William Morrow
and Company, Inc. 1989
Webb, Margot Coping with Overprotective Parents. New York: The Rosen
Publishing Group, Inc. 1990
Другие работы по теме:
Apa Crit Essay Research Paper APA Critical
Apa Crit Essay, Research Paper APA Critical Analysis: Teaching Students How to Learn Vol. 31, No. 6, June 2000 In ?Teaching Students How to Learn? it showed the correlation between high-achieving students and their self monitoring in classes. The article goes on to say that unlike high school, college students do not have the regulation in their classes.
Lolo Essay Research Paper In today s
Lolo Essay, Research Paper In today s society the pressure is on for students to get good grades. Every one stress s how important it is to get a degree in something. Without a piece of paper saying that you are qualified in a certain field, then don t bother looking for a job that will set you straight for the rest of your life.
Better School Environment Essay Research Paper In
Better School Environment Essay, Research Paper In order to create a safer school environment through positive peer pressure, you have to have at least two variables. That way, in case one doesn?t work, you can always resort to the second, or even third method if needed. The first way could be to have a popular club dedicated to promote nonviolence, and the other way could be to always discuss having a safer school environment with the students.
Student Shock Essay Research Paper Essay
Student Shock Essay, Research Paper Essay #2 Purpose: To discuss other causes of “Student Shock” and the best way to overcome it. Thesis: Students experiencing intense shock and they don’t know what to do.
Schools Comparison Between Canada And Taiwan Schools
Essay, Research Paper Schools: Comparison Between Canada and Taiwan Schools School is the best place for people to be educated. Everyone has to go through this stage in order to be knowledgeable, so they can be useful in
Failing Essay Research Paper The fear of
Failing Essay, Research Paper The fear of flunking is one of the many techniques a student can use to pass a class; this only depends on the person though. I believe that all students have a nightmare of failing a class. This pushes them to actually pursue in the academic. There are some students who simply do their best to reach their full potential, there are other students who fear failing and that is what unfortunately motivates them.
Analysis Of College Pressures Essay Research
Paper Analysis of College Pressures In the essay College Pressures , William Zinsser shows parents the burdens that college students have while they are in school. In the essay he states the four pressures that the students face: economic, parental, peer, and self-induced.
Cheaters Never Win Or Do They Essay
, Research Paper Cheaters Never Win. Or Do They? Numerous studies have shown that both high school and college students oftencheat and lie. There are different methods and severalties of both offenses. I believe anyincidents of cheating or lying is wrong and unacceptable, but unfortunately it is becomingmore and more accepted by students as time goes on.
The Difference Between High School And College
Essay, Research Paper Most students who are about to graduate from high school often wonder what college is like. When they finally reach college, most of them realize that there are some major differences between their college lives and their previous high school lives.
High School Vs College Essay Research Paper
High School vs. College High school and college are very dissimilar. There are the main differences and then there are differences that aren’t very distinct. These differences include homework, teacher-student relationships, and attendance policies. In this paper I will discuss the major and minor differences between high school and college.
How College And High School Differ Essay
, Research Paper How College and High School Differ A good education is an important part of ones life. To achieve a good education, one should attend both high school and college. Although some people think high school has a lot in common with college, I find them to be very different. After graduating from high school I enrolled into college and noticed that there are many differences between them.
School Uniforms Good Choice Essay Research Paper
One of the major problems facing us today is violence in middle and high schools across the country. With school shootings becoming an almost expected thing each year, the focus of many people should be on how to stop this violence. Many of the instigators of the violence in schools have been stereotyped by the clothes that they wear, such as the trench-coat mafia .
Should Exams Be Obolished Essay Research Paper
Exams. The word that most student fear off. Exam is a part of school life that all students have to go through. There are advantages in exams that are held in school. But there are people who think that exams give more disadvantages to the students. Even though some people say that exams should be abolished because they encourages cramming, I believe that they should not be abolished because exams are the only way for teachers to get feedback from their students build high moral standards and discipline in the students, and gives pressure that will be useful later in the life for the students.
Comparison Essay Between High School And College
Essay, Research Paper School plays an important role in our life. Many of us will spend more than fifteen years at school in order to get the qualifications that are required to work in a specific field. Of course, those years are broken down into several levels, some of them being more liked than others. Two important steps that we go through are high school and college.
Violent Kid Profile Essay Research Paper THE
Violent Kid Profile Essay, Research Paper ?THE VIOLENT-KID PROFILE? Are students being judged by the way they act, by what they say, or even by the way they dress? Sadly, the answer is yes. Not by their peers, but
School Essay Research Paper Recently a number
School Essay, Research Paper Recently, a number of violent crimes committed on school property. Owed to the rising amount of insecure and fearful students, schools have become more violent. Most cases have dealt with students that are having problems with their peers at school. In an average school structure it is very hard for students to deal with themselves if they have been rejected from the association of their peers.
School Violence Essay Research Paper School violence
School Violence Essay, Research Paper School violence is not a new issue for the nineties. School violence has been around since the nineteen fifties, but was more an issue of juvenile delinquency. The difference
Public Vs Private Essay Research Paper In
Public Vs Private Essay, Research Paper In the world today many parents ponder the thought whether private schools are better than public schools. They decide what would be better for their children. When they do this they ponder many different things like what would be academically better for my son or daughter or which would be safest and some people even would send their son or daughter to a school just for athletics.
Abolishing Mandatory Attendance For Schools Essay Research
Paper “So that nobody has to go to school if they don’t want to”, by Roger Sipher states that compulsory attendance laws should be abolished. His argument is that students that don’t wish to be in school are antagonistic to the school and prevent others form learning, and therefore not be forced to attend school.
What Makes An Student Effectiv Essay Research
Paper What Makes an Effective Student? What makes an effective student? This is a question asked by many students entering college. An effective student is one who can succeed in the classroom and outside of class and one who can help others become successful in life. Becoming a master student takes time and patience.
Surviving High School Essay Research Paper High
Surviving High School Essay, Research Paper High School Survival. Peer pressure? Is it true I will always come home with a blue eye if I won?t obey juniors and seniors? Is it grades, popularity, drugs, or maybe sex I should worry about the most? I heard I will never survive college if I remain to be a virgin throughout my high school years, and I will never be safe in school if I won?t try cigarettes and beer.
Competition Essay Essay Research Paper Competition is
Competition Essay Essay, Research Paper Competition is a part of life that can?t be avoided. Even when we don?t realize we are doing it, we all try our hardest at what we do often trying to rise above everyone else. Often on the school level many types of competition are nurtured and encouraged. From very young ages little children are put in sports programs and music lessons and are asked to perform their very best.
Binge Drinking Essay Research Paper Personal EssayBinge
Binge Drinking Essay, Research Paper Personal Essay Binge Drinking on College Campuses Binge drinking is running rampant on many college campuses and with an ever-growing number of high school students starting to binge drink, it would appear that there is no end in sight. In a study that was conducted by The Harvard School of Public Health, Binge drinking is defined, as having five or more drinks in a row.
Peer Pressure Essay Research Paper Peer Pressures
Peer Pressure Essay, Research Paper Peer Pressures of High School Glaring down at the reddish glow coming from the tip of the cigarette, I found out that I was in a peer pressure situation. Peer Pressure can be a huge problem for some young adults. It can sometimes be positive, but most of the time it?s negative and destructive.
Japanese Educational Sysem Essay Research Paper Japanese
Japanese Educational Sysem Essay, Research Paper Japanese Educational System Japanese children are better students than American students due to a more active role by parents and families in their education. Parents of the United States (U.S.) aren?t as involved in the relationship of their students schooling
Extending The Academic Year Essay Research Paper
Extending the Academic Year There have been many discussions about whether or not the academic school year should be extended for high school students. Some think it will better prepare them for college; and others think that it won’t make a difference if the school year is extended. The school year shouldn’t be dragged on any longer than it already is.
Stress On Honor Students Essay Research Paper
Introduction: Stress affects many students. Pressures from school work such as projects, home work tests class work and so on is how I define stress for this project. My project is, Do honor students
Money In Schools Essay Research Paper I
Money In Schools Essay, Research Paper I think that money is a key factor today in American schools. For instance, if you take a kid who has been going to a wealthy school, and a kid who has been going to a deprived school, test show that the student from the wealthy school is more likely to succeed, on top of graduating high school.
So You Are Going To High School.
. Essay, Research Paper So You Are Going To High School. I am going to explain to my little cousin what to expect from high school; how the social scene is different, what you have to do to graduate, and what some of the perks of being an upper classman are.
Sex Education In High School Essay Research
Paper During high school years our minds have the greatest development. And whatever we have learned in high school we uses that knowledge to help us move on through college. At the high school age teenagers experiments different changes in their minds, bodies. A sometimes question comes up that at what age children should know about the sex.
School To Work Essay Research Paper The
School To Work Essay, Research Paper The School-to-Work Opportunities Act was signed into law in 1994 and is administered under the auspices of the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. The Act provides funds to States and local communities to develop School-to-Work systems. School-to-Work is a method of attaining high academic standards through applied, contextual, and focused learning.