Sources of Underachievement

There could be many factors responsible for child’s underachievement such as home, school and environment. Is child himself responsible for his underachievement? 
Let’s look at all of these factors one by one. 

Family Factors Influencing Underachievement

• Family dysfunction
• Stressed relations with family members
• Problems with siblings including rivalry
• Conflicting role models and value systems in the family
• Negligible paternal academic supervision, assistance, and expectations

School Factors Influencing Underachievement

• Improper early curricular experiences in elementary school
• Dearth of opportunity to develop proper school work habits
• Negative interactions with teachers
• Unsatisfactory curriculum in middle and high school
• Problematic counseling experiences

Personal Factors Influencing Underachievement

• Behaviour problems and disciplinary issues
• Problems with unstructured time
• Confusing or idealistic expectations
• Inadequate determination and low self-efficacy
• Improper managing strategies
• Poor study habits
• Avoid hard work and comfortable with easy tasks
• Dislike challenges
• Negative reaction from relatives that discourage hard working

There could be more and diverse reasons for underachievement in different context. Nevertheless, any child is not born underachiever it is a learned behavior therefore, could be unlearned. Parents and teachers with join efforts surely transform a child and develop as achiever.