| I ask that question many times my self. As a single | | | | good education are limited comparing to well-off |
| mother raising two high school children costs are | | | | neighborhoods. Multi parents or single parents |
| increasing. My children and I reside in a well to do | | | | household with little or no education have no choice to |
| neighborhood in a small two bedroom apartment which | | | | find low minimum wage employment to do what they |
| is affordable. Purchasing a home or renting a larger | | | | can do support their family. In today’s economy |
| apartment to accommodate the size of my family will | | | | the increase in food, transportation, health care, clothing, |
| increase the price especially if I want to continue to live | | | | and education has put a burden to so many |
| within this neighborhood. It is a sacrifice that most | | | | families. Raising children is very expensive for one |
| parents must make for children safety and schools | | | | and two parent household and the economy does not |
| that offer the best education. Raising children is a | | | | make any easier. |
| sacrifice and an investment. Most parents believe | | | | An average amount in raising a child in an income level |
| that this investment will give them a high rate of return | | | | of less than $45,800 costs $148,320, $45,800 to |
| but as with any investments they can suffer a loss. | | | | $77,100 cost $204,060, and more than $77,100 cost |
| It is not a guarantee that my children will be | | | | $298,060. These averages and costs are for one |
| successful with the amount of funds I am spending for | | | | child from birth to 17 years of age not including any |
| my children’s future and in my opinion it is worth | | | | costs for higher education. All the costs include |
| it. Now the question is how much is too much for | | | | housing, child care, health care, food, transportation, and |
| parents to invest on their children. Many times | | | | cloths. Does not include extreme circumstances has |
| parents are so focused on their expectations | | | | for high medical bills or private schools. These |
| concerning their children’s future that they do not | | | | amounts are very telling the higher the parents earn |
| want to consider the negative possibility that their | | | | the more a parent will spend. It is very important |
| children may not be who they want them to be or | | | | because many parents who can afford to spend |
| children taking the opportunities that is handed to | | | | more on their children spend too much and it may not |
| them. It is understandable that there is a cost in | | | | be necessary but on the other hand parents who do |
| raising a child and giving them the best may give them | | | | not earn enough can not give their children |
| a stepping stone to be successful but it is not | | | | opportunities compare to other children. |
| guaranteed. Parents believe that spending on the | | | | It is true many parents do spend too much, but to |
| best preschools, music lessons, dancing lessons, and | | | | them their children is worth any amount of money to |
| sports will guarantee they will over achieve but there is | | | | give their children the stepping stone so they can |
| a huge possibility that may not happen. It is important | | | | achieve but must realize it is not a guarantee. I |
| for parents to understand that all this spending on their | | | | believe it is worth it for the sake of my children. I |
| children can end up being a negative outcome. | | | | work full time and I attend part time at a University to |
| On the other hand if parents do not earn enough that | | | | earn a Bachelors degree in Accounting so I can have |
| may leave a negative impact as well. Not living in a | | | | the opportunities to earn more than $27,000 a year. I |
| well to do neighborhoods so children can live safely | | | | make this sacrifice for the sake of my children’s |
| and receive a good education so the children can able | | | | success. To open the doors for my children and help |
| to obtain the opportunities to achieve ultimate success. | | | | them with their higher education if it is needed as long |
| Low income parents barely earn enough to afford | | | | as I understand I am making this effort so I can give |
| housing, food, and clothing. In many parts of the | | | | them the best but realize that I may not get a high rate |
| United States children who are in very low income | | | | of return but I may loose my investment. |
| levels must live in neighborhoods that are not safe and | | | | |