Children complain not only about their parents often being absent, but also about their being cranky and distracted when they are around. One study of a large Toronto school found that 50 percent of children in junior school were coming to school without having eaten a proper breakfast - or, for the most part, any breakfast at all. Author Ken Dryden argues that the amount of homework a child does is the best indicator of long-term success in school. Tired or absent parents don t have the time or energy to exercise the necessary involvement in overseeing their children s homework. With current time pressures and seventy-hour work weeks with unpredictable schedules, business travel and meetings, few families are able to have dinner together on a regular basis.
Children feel less secure and experience a high level of stress.
Guilty parents may barter material good for parental time. This takes pressure off parents who carry a double load, leaving them with more time and energy for their children. Three decades of research has shown that parental involvement really works to make education better. Children are starved, too - starved of meaningful time spent with their parents. Thank you to Dr. Barbara, Moses for her generous assistance in editing this Fact Sheet as well as permitting us to use excerpts from her books.