ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this study was to examine parental socio-economic variables and academic performance of students in economics in Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine the relationship between parental level of income, parental level of education, parental occupation and parental involvement. To achieve these objectives, four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Relevant literature were reviewed from documents in line with the variables of the study. Correlational survey research design was adopted. The population consisted 6,349 senior secondary two (SS II) students. A sample of 200 students was randomly selected and used for the study. Two instruments such as “Students Parental Socio-Economic Variables Questionnaire” (SPSEVQ) and Economics Achievement Test (EAT) were constructed by the researcher for data, collection. The collected data was scored, coded and analysed using simple percentage while the four hypothesis were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance at 0.05 level of significance. The result of analysis revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between parental level of income, parental occupation, parental involvement and academic performance of students in the study area and also, there is no significant influence of educational level of parents on academic performance of students in the study area. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended among others that children from low income parents should be given grants to help supplement their need and enhance their academic performance, also jobs opportunities should be provided to the unemployed parents.