22 Reasons Why Parents Don’t Participate in School Events

Getting parents to come to your next parent event can sometimes seem challenging especially when it has been difficult to have parents come out in the past. Many factors can come into play for parents when deciding whether or not they will come to their child’s schools next event.

Many of these items can be seen as obstacles in why parents aren’t showing up at your school.

1. They did not know about it.
2. They forgot.
3. No transportation.
4. They are busy. The event doesn’t work with their schedule.
5. Parents don’t want to attend an event in anticipation of being pressured into helping out or volunteering at the school.
6. Parents who speak a different language may not feel comfortable attending an event or meeting because they feel they will not understand and cannot contribute.
7. They don’t have a relationship with anyone at the school. No one is encouraging them to become involved.
8. The issue or event is not relevant to them.
9. There is no childcare. No childcare is available at home or at a parent meeting.
10. The event does not seem fun, beneficial or important.
11. They are tired and have no energy for extra stuff.
12. They are struggling with life changes.
13. The last event they attended was poorly put together and now parents feel disengaged.
14. They feel like making sure their child gets to school everyday is enough.
15. They have had negative experiences with school in the past. Or have had a negative experience with the current school.
16. They don’t feel welcome.
17. Indecisiveness. Parents want to come out to an event, RSVP, but at the last minute, decide not to come for a variety of reasons.
18. Parents of active children may feel more relaxed at home rather than chasing them around in public.
19. There is no food at the event. Or there is no food that meets their dietary guidelines.
20. Not able to fit in their day. If parents work this is just another item to add to their already busy day (helping with homework, making dinner, getting the child(ren) ready for bed).
21. Parents would rather just spend the time with their child.
22. They are under the impression that attending the event they will be hearing a bunch of negative things about their child.

Now that you can identify the obstacles, what’s next?

It is up to good parent leaders to help other parents remove some of the hurdles and myths and get parents more engaged. Some of these obstacles can be easily removed and will help increase participation greatly. Others may take some time and effort. But knowing that these obstacles exist ahead of time will help make planning for future events easier and more inclusive.

If you or your parent council need help or are looking for some guidance in tackling some of these obstacles, there are lots of resources on the Parents Engaged in Education website. If you can’t find the information in one of our blogs/articles be sure to reach out to other parents and parent council members via our Facebook page.

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