This study is an initial attempt to examine the association between perceiv
ed parental styles and practices and academic achievement in Bangladesh, a
Muslim culture. Associations among perceptions of parents' styles and super
visory practices, and self-esteem, relationship harmony, and academic achie
vement, were examined in 14- and 15-year-old girls and boys (N = 212) in Dh
aka. Parental supervisory practices were associated with a warm parental st
yle For girls and parental dominating control for boys. Girls' (but not boy
s') perceptions of parents predicted academic achievement and were mediated
by self-esteem. Our data provide a rare window into an Islamic society and
demonstrate differences in social influences on boys and girls in this hig
hly gender-differentiated culture.