C H A P T E R 4 :
SOURCES OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENT
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Competing Voices
". . . GET INVOLVED in what's happening in their students' lives !!! But don't
get personal." (Mother of 1st grade girl)
~
"Not only be their teacher but be their friend. Children need to know there
are always other people to talk to. Parents can not always be there in
today's society." (Mother of 2nd grade girl)
~
"STOP TRYING TO BE THEIR FRIEND AND BEGIN BEING THEIR
EDUCATOR WHILE MAKING THE PARENTS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THEIR ACTIONS. . ." (Father of 4th grade boy)
Overview
As students prepare for their futures, whom do they rely upon for guidance? Do they
have a network of support from peers and adults? Students report a wide range of
support, including family members, educators and friends. Teachers show a greater
awareness than parents of this range of support. Students' base of support is most
restricted when it comes to help when they are feeling sad or depressed.
Parents' Perspective
Who do parents and teachers see as sources of support for teens when they need
advice or help? The answer for each group appears to be "me" (Exhibits 4.1 - 4.3).
Parents overwhelmingly report that their child would most likely go to a family mem-
ber if they needed advice about what classes to take at school (87%), for help if they
felt threatened by another student at school (87%), or for help if they were feeling sad
or depressed (86%). They see educators as the next most likely source for help about
classes (53%) or when threatened at school (51%), but friends (46%) are next for sup-
port when their child is sad or depressed.
Teachers' Perspective
While teachers are most likely to see educators as sources of support for their stu-
dents, they are equally likely to see family and friends as people students turn to when
they need advice about classes or help when threatened (Exhibits 4.1 - 4.3). Teachers
are more likely to report that their students would go to friends than go to family
when feeling sad or depressed.
OBSERVATION:
Parents and teachers each show a lack of appreciation for
the role that they play in teens' lives. In comparison to students' own reports,
both parents and teachers overemphasize their own influence and under-
emphasize the other adults' role.
