An Open Letter to Future Self

Dear Future self,

In my English class, we have been completing a project about family and relationships.Through this project, I have realized that kids with two parents are most likely to succeed in school. I wanted to write to you because when you become a mom and have kids I want you to know what’s best for the child. Single parents, that raise kids often ask them self important questions: Will they learn? Will they do their homework? Will they graduate High school? Based on my research, I argue that children have better outcomes when raised by two parents because they have a higher income and most likely to succeed in school.

To start, kids are better off raised by two parents because they have a higher income. To give some context on this issue. Parents with higher incomes can afford tutoring and other resources to help their children do well in school. According to Branwen Jeffreys Education Editor, in their work titled “Do children in two-parent families do better?”, “Having two adults who co-operate to raise the child, who give time and money, means there are just more resources than one doing it”. In other words, kids are more successful with the help of two parents. This information is significant because it tells you that having a higher income allows the kid to work harder in school. According to Branwen Jeffreys Education Editor, in their work titled “Do children in two-parent families do better?”, Partners state that the number of single parents working full-time has increased. Some single mothers even work two jobs”. This information is significant because it shows that if your single mothers that are getting low income have to work harder. Overall, this data shows how having a higher income is better for the family and the kid’s education. Why would a family not want whats best for their child?

Furthermore, kids with two parents are most likely to succeed in school than kids raised by single parents. To give some context on this issue kids with two parents are more succeeding in school because of co-parenting. According to Isabel V. Sawhill, Center on Children and Families, Future of the Middle-Class Initiative, in their work titled “Are Children Raised With Absent Fathers Worse Off?” “children raised by single mothers are more likely to fare worse on…their social and emotional development, their health and their success in the labor market”. This means that kids are not going to be doing well in school because they are focused on other things. What other things? They may be focused on family drama, health, going through an emotional state, etc. Additionally, according to Emily Badger Reporter, in their work titled “Children with married parents are better off — but marriage isn’t the reason why” “children raised by two parents tend to be more successful” This information is significant because it tells you that kids with two parents tend to do better in school. Overall, this data shows that it’s better to have two parents and not a single parent so the child has a greater chance to succeed in school.

Some might argue, that being raised by a single parent can be good for the child because their other parent can be setting a bad example for the kid. Imagine living with someone who is very abusive and screaming every minute. However, parents can solve their problems by going to couple therapy. Therefore, parents can stay together with a healthy relationship and your child will be able to have a better education.

Therefore, I implore you to stay in a healthy relationship and have a kid with someone you trust well. A person you can come home to every day, wake up next to them in the morning, have a kid with them. This will make a difference because your child will be able to have two parents and better education.

Thank you,

Lena