Poll: Latino Parents More Positive about Their Kids’ Futures

Share On Social!

Latino parents are generally positive about the future, spending more time with their children than their parents did with them, according to a new NBC News: Education Nation poll.

The poll, which interviewed 803 U.S. parents or guardians, indicates that all parents agree more than a high school diploma is needed to achieve the American Dream, including good social and communication skills, but there are gaps in just how positive parents are, largely based on their income, race, level of education and marital status.

Latino parents were especially optimistic.

They were more likely to believe their children will be better off than they are (65%) than whites (40%) and blacks (59%), and less likely to say their children will face more problems growing up than they did (59%) than whites (66%) and blacks (72%).

However, Latino parents also had the highest percentage of “wishing they could do more” for their child’s education, which they rated at lower quality than whites and blacks.

Larissa Rollins, a mother and high school teacher in Texas, told NBC News she’s encouraged by parents’ involvement, but more could be done.

“[Parents] play the greatest role in their children’s success,” Rollins told NBC News. “That’s why it’s important for educators to see them as partners in the process and help welcome them and support them so that we can make a difference in these children’s lives. If we all work together to give kids the foundation that they need, they should be ready to excel in college and beyond.”

Read more about the poll in English or Spanish.

NBC News’ Parent Toolkit website offers way parents can help their child’s education.