ARACY’s report Please just say you’re proud of me: Perspectives of Young People on Parent Engagement and Doing Well at School is based on consultations with nearly 100 Australian students in years 10 and 12.

As part of the study, students were asked what they would like to hear and see in the ideal parent, carer or support person that would help them at school. The ‘hoped for’ messages from their ideal support person showed strong and consistent themes regarding the type of support students wanted.

The young people told us they wanted their parents, carers and support people to:

  1. Focus on the positive, express pride in their achievements often and express acceptance of who they are as a person
  2. Remind them that their parent, carer or support person loves them unconditionally, and is always there to help
  3. Offer practical guidance and assistance in tackling stresses and other problems at school and in life generally
  4. Encourage and support them to follow their own aspirations and make their own decisions for their futures, rather than being pressured to follow their parents’ or carers’ dreams.