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Abstract: This study examines the relationship between adolescent academic performance and perceived parental affection among adolescents in grades 7-12 using the 1994-95 U.S. National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). That is, this study will investigate whether the adolescent academic achievement is sensitive to their perception of parental affection and whether these differences are consistent across the gender of the parent. The survey included 20,745 students. Perception of maternal and paternal affection was assessed using five categories of varying affection and was coded separately based on the gender of the parent. The five levels were then coded dichotomously into “affection” and “no affection”. Academic performance was assessed using a series of four questions about letter grades. Responses were summed to a variable reflecting GPA ranging from 0 (all D’s) to 12 (all A’s). Additionally, the mother/father’s education level was used as a control to explore the impact of education level on children’s performance. After controlling for mother’s affection, there is a statistically significant positive association between Mother’s affection level and adolescent GPA. After controlling for father’s education, there is not a statistically significant association between father’s affection and adolescent GPA.