An analysis on households compulsory education: The case of Tekirdag province

Development is influenced by a range of factors generally classified into two broad categories: economic and non-economic. Among non-economic determinants, human capital plays a particularly critical role. The enhancement of human capital is primarily achieved through education, which fulfills multiple functions—individual and societal, psychological and sociological, among others. One of the most significant of these is its role as an investment. Education as an investment refers to the allocation of existing personal resources in anticipation of future returns, whether in the short or long term. These expected returns may include upward social mobility, economic gains, social prestige, or personal development. However, individuals may differ in their perceptions of education: while some consider it a long-term investment, others may approach it as a form of consumption. These differing perspectives are likely to influence individuals' behaviors and decisions regarding educational expenditure. Therefore, identifying the individual-level factors that shape how people perceive and spend on education is crucial for informing and managing development strategies. The primary objective of this study is to identify the factors that influence parents' attitudes and behaviors toward educational spending. To achieve this, a 19-item Likert-type scale with four response options was developed. Following a rigorous process of item generation and statistical validation, the scale was finalized with three dimensions: (1) investment, (2) consumption, and (3) expected return. A personal information form, designed by the researcher based on an extensive literature review, was used to collect quantitative data. This instrument consisted of 17 items divided into three sections: demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, and educational expenditure behaviors of parents. The study was conducted with a total of 771 participants. Statistical analyses examined whether parents' attitudes toward educational spending, as measured by the developed scale, varied according to their demographic and socio-economic characteristics and their actual spending behaviors. The findings indicate that these factors significantly influence attitudes toward educational expenditure.