[Bob]

...but that would not be a concern if the parents were actively promoting academic achievement of their children.)

Parents are a bit limited when it comes to a kid's ability to overcome peer pressure. While parents do have some influence, the attitudes of a kid's friends will always be a huge factor to contend with.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"Parents are a bit limited when it comes to a kid's ability to overcome peer pressure. While parents do have some influence, the attitudes of a kid's friends will always be a huge factor to contend with."

That peer pressure comes from the disfunctional culture. If those kids' parents were pro-learning, there wouldn't be a problem.

[Mo1]

Parents are a bit limited when it comes to a kid's ability to overcome peer pressure. While parents do have some influence, the attitudes of a kid's friends will always be a huge factor to contend with.

You have a point .. when I had my kids in pre-school (I know it's not like regular school) .. every September thru Nove/Dec I would always have discipline problems with them when they came home from school every day.

When it came time to have them start elemenary school, I choose to put them in catholic school. They are still influenced by their peers, but I don't have a problem with discipline like I use to.

So, yes I agree parents play a big role with kids ... but so do the teachers