Muschamp, Y.,  Wikely, F., Ridge, T. y Balarin, M. (2007). Parenting, caring and educating. Primary Review Research Survey, 7/1. University of Cambridge.

In this survey of published research we review changing patterns in the structure of the families and identify trends in parenting and caring for today’s generation of primary school children.

We reveal how the reduction in the number of children born, the increase in the proportion of lone parents and the increasing age at which women have their first child have resulted in greater diversity of family forms, and parenting and caring practices. The impact of these changes on primary education is discussed through a review of the impact of government policy in relation to the role of parents and the home-school relationship.

We conclude that the diversity in family structures brings with it complex administrative demands for home-school communication and a complex array of family relationships for teachers to understand and engage with. The school remains a primary source of community-based support for working parents and carers, although the impact of complex employment arrangements adds to the demands for child care support beyond the school day.