Harsh Parenting and Weak Routines Linked to School Absenteeism in Teens

September 17, 2026 - 07:34

A new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute finds that young people are far more likely to miss school when they face harsh parenting or grow up without steady daily routines. The study points to family environment as a major factor behind absenteeism, which remains a persistent problem in many schools.

One of the more striking findings is that maternal characteristics carry much more weight than paternal factors when it comes to predicting whether a student will skip class. The reasons are not fully settled, but researchers suggest that mothers often take on more of the day to day work of getting children ready for school, tracking homework, and noticing early signs of disengagement.

The report also highlights that chaotic households, where bedtimes, meals, and morning schedules shift from day to day, make it harder for teenagers to show up consistently. Harsh discipline appears to have a similar effect, pushing young people away from school rather than keeping them engaged.

Researchers say the findings suggest that support for families, including practical help with routines and parenting strategies, could do more to reduce absenteeism than punishments aimed only at students.