This virtual event, hosted by the NGO Committee on the Family (NY), offered an opportunity to learn from a leading academic and a veteran educator as they examined the powerful connection between family structure, parental involvement, and children’s educational outcomes. By blending research with real-world experience, the discussion was both informing and inspiring. Whether you are a parent, teacher, UN delegate, or policymaker, this event will provide fresh perspectives, practical insights, and best practices that highlight the essential role of the family in education.
A video recording of the full discussion is available here.
Speakers:
Brian J. Willoughby, Ph.D., is a Professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University and a research fellow at The Wheatley Institute. Dr. Willoughby is considered an international expert in the field of couple and marital relationships, families, and young adult development. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on young adult development, couple dynamics, marriage, and sexuality in the leading family science, psychological and sociological journals. As a highly sought-after expert, he is interviewed regularly by journalists associated with both national print and online outlets. His research has been widely cited in top media outlets. Dr. Willoughby has been married for twenty-four years to his wife Cassi and they have four children.
Michael Oliver, PhD., was the founding principal of Zaharis Elementary School, recognized as one of the “25 most innovative, inspiring and coolest schools in America” and the “exemplary school for literacy development in the US” by Scholastic. He has a doctorate degree in Leadership & Innovation from Arizona State University. Mike is currently the principal of Mountain View High School in Mesa, Arizona and is well known for his interest in innovation in public education and reforming the education system. He’s also an accomplished runner and has completed several ultramarathons, including a 100-mile race. Dr. Oliver and his wife, Trish, are the parents of four children and two grandchildren.
Background
Parental involvement is a cornerstone of a child’s academic success. When parents are actively engaged in their children’s education, students tend to earn higher grades, maintain better attendance, develop stronger social skills, and are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education or vocational training. Such engagement communicates that education is a family priority and helps create a home environment where learning is supported and valued.
Research consistently indicates that children raised in married, mother-and-father households often experience greater academic stability and achievement. These families generally offer more consistent discipline, emotional support, and economic stability—all factors that foster educational development. While every family is unique and children can thrive in a variety of family structures, data suggest that the presence of both a mother and a father in a committed marital relationship can contribute to a sense of structure, security, and identity—all of which are vital for academic success.
It is also worth noting that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) affirms that “parents or, as the case may be, legal guardians, have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child” (CRC, Article 18.1), and that “the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment…” (CRC, Preamble).
