A Simple Way to Improve a Child’s School Performance
An international team of researchers found that treating teenagers as responsible family members is directly linked to their academic motivation and the quality of their relationships with parents. The study was published in the journal Child Development.
The study involved 554 students aged 13–14 from Shanghai. Over the course of a year, the teenagers completed online surveys assessing their views on adolescence, willingness to take on family responsibilities, ability to delay fun in favor of studying, and reactions to academic setbacks.
Results showed that teenagers who viewed their adolescent years positively were more likely to consider helping their parents important, did household chores, and took their studies seriously. They showed greater persistence after receiving low grades and demonstrated higher levels of trust and emotional closeness with their parents.
The authors emphasize that adolescence should not be seen as an inevitable period of “storm and stress.” Instead, it is a window of opportunity when responsibility, academic resilience, and social bonds are formed.
Researchers note that this approach could be useful for parents, educators, and educational program developers, helping to overcome stereotypes and support teens in their development.
Earlier studies also found that young people are afraid to meet strangers offline.
