context: "Social context . . . supplies both a content to be assimilated and a set of conditions for learning and development" (Ryan and Stiller, 1991, p. 119). In summary, the home environment is responsible for the success of a child's education and overall lifestyle.
The effects of parenting occur through time. How a parent parents will affect the motivation, autonomous behavior, and academic achievement of the child. According to Ryan and Stiller, assisting a child in building autonomy will "promote a sense of competence, relatedness, and mutuality" (Ryan and Stiller, 1991, p. 118). This is achieved by taking the child's frame of reference and perspective into account, as well as engaging the child in activities that build social and educational skills. Two principles underlie these methods. These relate to the psychological environment and the structure, limits, or rules in the home. From the psychological perspective, the parent(s) must be psychologically healthy. S/he must have a positive self-image and good communication skills and be flexible, self-directed, and able and willing to reach out for whatever assistance s/he needs (whether it be food stamps or a single-mother or -father support group). All of the above affect the parenting style of the parent--the strict authoritarian, the guiding authoritative parent, or the lax parent. These parenting styles do affect academic success and motivation of the child. Academic test scores have shown that children from authoritative homes score higher academically, are competent, and less likely to become behavioral problems, hence self-regulated. One reason is that the parent-child relationship is healthy and respectful. The child carries with him or her out in the world positive attitudes related to authority figures. Authoritative parents provide the autonomy-building psychological and structural climate of the home. These parents are involved in their child's life....