Contextual influences on the dynamics of parental involvement

Abstract

From early childhood the family plays an important role inshaping the child’s belief systems, value systems and code of behaviour. Le Roux(1994:188) echoes that the family plays a role in the child’s identity soas to enable him toface and deal with crises successfully. Because no person lives in isolation, it is therefore, important to look at the contextual influences which might either impede or promote parental involvement. The contextual influences are considered important in this study because They could impact on the family even above and beyond factors such as culture and interpersonal relationships. The study further discusses contextual influences on parental involvement in some detail, followed by a discussion of the various dimensions of the parental role, also in a consistent order of general principles, effect of problems/inadequacies, principles in the African community/culture and Tsonga culture.