Parents have long wanted information on child rearing, but the recent surge in requests for formal parenting education is causing a boom for the profession. This boom presents many questions, one of which concerns the design of parenting education. Could the following factors be related to participation and high rates of dropping out by parents?

• the design of the program
• when and where parenting programs are held
• how parents are taught
• the content that is offered
• comfort within a learning group

Parent Study Description

To address concerns of parents and parent educators, the National Network for Family Resiliency collected survey data asking parents what topics they most want and what topics they want least. The non-random sample included 637 parents age 16-65 years of age from four states (North Carolina, Delaware, Texas, and Ohio). Within the sample, 39% were Euro-American, 38% were African American, and 10% were Hispanic with the remaining parents Native American or multi-racial.

Study Results

The topics selected most by parents as those they would like to learn about are as follows:

• Child Esteem 63%
• Child Stress 61%
• Children & Respect 56%
• Child Behavior 56%
• Drugs/Alcohol 54%
• Talking About Sex 54%
• Violent Behaviors 52%

The topics selected least by parents as those they would least like to learn about are:

• Child Depression 23%
• Child Death 23%
• Staying Home Alone 24%
• Children & Chores 25%
• Overactive Children 31%
• Older Children Getting Jobs 34%
• Child Health & Sleep Habits 35%

Implications for Practice

Are we teaching the topics parents want most? By understanding the desires of the parent we will best be able to provide the information they need and want most. Providing sessions on these topics may also increase the likelihood of attendance at parenting classes. Does the amount of information we are developing and distributing match the topics parents want to receive?

Some more considerations:

• Know your audience and provide topics that they will find most useful
• Consider providing sessions on tough topics: drugs/alcohol, talking about sex, and violent behaviors
• Review your offerings and material for discrepancies between what your audience wants and what you have available

Karen DeBord, PhD
Associate Professor
and State Specialist, Child Development
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7605
(919) 515-9147 (Voice)
(919) 515-2786 (Fax)
Karen_DeBord@NCSU.EDU

Jacqueline J. Kirby, M.S.
Extension Associate, Family Life
Ohio State University Extension
The Ohio State University,
Columbus, OH 43210-1295
(614) 688-3486 (Voice)
(614) 292-4365 (Fax)
kirby.21@osu.edu

June P. Mead, PhD
Cornell University Extension
(607) 772-8036 (Voice)
(607) 772-8243 (Fax)
Binghamton, NY 13903
jm62@cornell.edu