PARENT’S CULTURAL CAPITAL AND ITS EFFECTS ON CHILDREN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Academic performance is the functioning of students at school. A high quality functioning leads to educational success and contribute in rising the literacy rate of the country. Pakistan with a literacy rate of 52 percent is ranked very lower globally. Pakistan is ranked at 136th position in global human development index. This study has identified the role of cultural capital in the way of educational attainment. The main objective was to assess the effects of cultural capital on academic performance of students. A cross sectional study was conducted in the rural and urban areas of district Faisalabad and Lahore. A random sample of 600 students was taken to assess the research objectives. Mother’s education, parent’s interest in the academic activities of their children, reading activities of both parent and children were found highly significant in explaining dependent variable, which is academic performance of children. It is suggested that a focus should be given on female education at governmental level. Media campaigns should be launched to motivate parents regarding taking interest in their children education. Emphasis on early child hood education by Government is also recommended so that the pre requisites of schools can be learned and the cultural difference between home and school environment can be filled.