Parental Involvement in an Emerging Democracy

The Case of Croatia

Bibliographic Data

ID2501286
AuthorsCarmen Luca Sugawara (Indiana University, corresponding author), Jocelyn Clare R Hermoso (0000-0001-7472-5504, San Francisco State University), Eva Anđela Delale (0000-0001-7242-0336, University of Zagreb), Kay Hoffman (University of Kentucky), Diana Lupšić (University School)
Year2012
Volume13
Issue2
Pages451-470
Publication date2012-05-31
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAdvances in Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1527-8565 • E-ISSN: 2331-4125
PublisherIUPUI University Library (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.18060/1965
OpenAlexW1831586725
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited12

Parental involvement in schools in an emerging democracy has gained significant attention among school administrators, educators, parents, local governments, and the international development community; yet, empirical data on this subject remains sparse. This study aims to examine the patterns of parental involvement in schools in Croatian communities. Using mixed-methods, the sample size consists of 294 elementary school parents, two focus groups (parents and teachers), and nine interviews with national and international stakeholders. The study found that, apart from the educational outcomes for children, parental involvement also may be an important platform through which parents can practice democratic behaviors and engage in community-building initiatives. Through school-related activities, parents learn to interact with a government institution, voice their interests, participate in decision-making, leverage and use power, and cooperate with each other and the community. Findings from this study can have implications for social work practice and social development assistance by recognizing how engaging parents in school-based activities can become a platform for community participation and democratic behavior

Community practice · Democracy · Empirical research · Focus group · Institution · Political science · Project commissioning · Public relations · Publishing · Social science · Sociology · Diverse Education Studies and Reforms · Family and Disability Support Research · Parental Involvement in Education · Psychology · Social Work

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