Parenting and beliefs in mathematics learning: Insights from highly educated parents of high-achieving students

Yoppy Wahyu Purnomo, Yeni Rakhmawati, Tiara Friaesa Harsono
Pusat Unggulan Literasi dan Numerasi, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Tian Abdul Aziz
Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia
Mohammad Archi Maulyda
Pusat Unggulan Literasi dan Numerasi, Universitas Mataram, Indonesia

This study investigates how parents' beliefs about mathematics learning affect their children's mathematical experiences. Employing qualitative methods, our study focused on five highly educated Indonesian parents of high-achieving maths students from middle to upper-class backgrounds. Data were collected via interviews and document analysis, with Miles and Huberman's (1994) model used for data organisation and categorisation. Validity was ensured through persistence, peer discussions, and member checks. Findings reveal that: (1) most parents hold relational beliefs about mathematics; (2) their parenting styles are predominantly democratic; and (3) there is a notable pattern linking relational beliefs with democratic parenting. Our study highlights that parents' beliefs significantly influence their democratic approach to parenting, emphasising the need to address parental beliefs to support students' mathematical development. The implications suggest that educational programs for parents could enhance learning environments for children, and recognising the impact of parental beliefs can aid educators and policymakers in designing effective interventions to foster positive maths attitudes and practices at home.
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Authors: Dr Yoppy Wahyu Purnomo is Professor in Elementary Mathematics Education. He serves as the Head of the Pusat Unggulan Literasi dan Numerasi (PULITNUM) [Centre of Excellence for Literacy and Numeracy], and is a researcher in the same centre. Additionally, he is a lecturer in the Department of Elementary Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6216-3855 Email: yoppy.wahyu@uny.ac.id Dr Yeni Rakhmawati has a PhD in Elementary Education and is a researcher in the Pusat Unggulan Literasi dan Numerasi (PULITNUM) and lecturer in the Department of Elementary Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6114-767X Email: yenirakhmawati@uny.ac.id Tiara Friaesa Harsono with a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree is a researcher in the Pusat Unggulan Literasi dan Numerasi (PULITNUM), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Email: tiarafriaesa.2019@student.uny.ac.id Dr Tian Abdul Aziz attained a PhD in Mathematics Education and is a researcher and lecturer in the Dept. of Mathematics Education, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7473-6438 Email: tian_aziz@unj.ac.id Dr Mohammad Archi Maulyda (corresponding author) holds a PhD in Elementary Education. He is a researcher in the Pusat Unggulan Literasi dan Numerasi (PULITNUM), and a lecturer in the Department of Primary Education, Universitas Mataram, Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3199-1380 Email: archimaulyda@unram.ac.id Please cite as: Purnomo, Y. W., Rakhmawati, Y., Harsono, T. F., Aziz, T. A. & Maulyda, M. A. (2025). Parenting and beliefs in mathematics learning: Insights from highly educated parents of high-achieving students. Issues in Educational Research, 35(3), 1096-1115. http://www.iier.org.au/iier35/purnomo.pdf