Girls have a higher chance of being homebound than boys.

Girls have a higher chance of being homebound than boys.

Girls have a higher chance of dropping out than boys. And it is a mistake to think that children who stay at home are mostly from parents who are less involved with the school. This comes from research by the Kohnstamm Institute.

Problems

Also, children who deal with problems like anxiety and depression have a higher chance to become home stayers. The institute found no signs that lack of motivation for school or concentration problems are decisive.

Scientific literature

The conclusions go against the picture from scientific literature. It shows that boys actually have a higher chance of dropping out. Also, home stayers more often have behavior problems.

More attention to circumstances

The researchers conclude in the report ‘Niet thuisgeven’ that it is important for schools to pay more attention to the person and circumstances behind the student. And that teachers see behavior as a signal to act in time.

Student perspective

The research was done from the student perspective. Interviews with students and professionals played a central role. These conversations had to make clear what advice they give to prevent staying at home.

Clear picture

Like the researchers, Ouders & Onderwijs agrees that it is important to get a clear picture of students who could potentially become home stayers. Especially now that the number of students who stay home longer than three months and do not go to school keeps rising. On the website of Ouders & Onderwijs there is an overview of places where parents can go for help.