Children’s experience at school: expected and perceived quality by mothers

Abstract

Expected and perceived quality of school system and the school of their own children are of major importance in mothers’ experience. In fact they play a major role in taking care of children, particularly during preschool and primary school years. A careful review of specialized literature allowed to chose specific topics for preparing a questionnaire administered to more than 700 mothers from two Italian regions. Through a Correspondence Analysis, results show that mothers from medium-high socio-cultural level expect a high level of quality of school system and of their own children’s school, with high level expectations concerning con-crete teachers. In the same vein, these mothers perceive a good quality of their own children’s school, and their teachers. These mothers are satisfied of their own school experience. “Being mothers is not enough”: according to mothers’ social positions life courses seem to influence both mothers’ and their own children’s socialization.