Family dynamics, gender differences and educational attainment in Filipino adolescents

The relationship between parenting style, marital relationships and subsequent educational attainment is explored among 1428 Filipino adolescents attending school in 1994 and 1096 attending school in 1999. Girls in households where their fathers physically abused their mothers were significantly less likely to complete primary school, and girls who reported parental arguments completed fewer grades. In contrast, girls in households where parents made decisions jointly were more likely to finish secondary school and attain more grades. Boys attained more education if they reported being close to their mothers. Boys with authoritative mothers attained more grades and were more likely to complete secondary school as compared to boys with neglectful mothers. In this context, marital relationships and parent-child relationships are important for understanding adolescent educational attainment.