Home Advantage:

Social Class and Parental Intervention in Elementary Education

by Annette Lareau

In the Book Home Advantage Annette Lareau expresses the importance of social class and the unique way that American families approach school and education.  She studied schools where social classes of parents were examined. The classes that she mentioned in the book are the upper class parenting, the working class parenting, upper middle class parenting, and working class parenting. With most of the classes parents do not set out simply to display their cultural resources. They are trying to pass these resources on to their children. They know that children will not automatically achieve the same shared standing as their parents; however, this can be attained only when they thrive in their learning.

Annette also discussed the expectation of the teacher in regards to the parent’s role in educating their children.  Parents are responsible for bringing their children to school on time, they should make sure that they are well rested, that they are well-dressed and are ready to learn.  Parents are also expected to read to their children at home every day, help them with homework and reinforce curriculum, they are responsible for attending school meetings, conferences and other school activities. Most of all teachers want Parents Corporation in working together to benefit the needs of the child.

This book is a great read for parents, because I believe that most parents share the same believes. They want their children to succeed in school.   They want their children to receive the best education that is possible; however, some children are limited in the education they receive because of the class system. The upper class can afford to give their children a better education because they have more wealth and can invest in more school programs for their children.