Wealthy single parent (man or woman) vs two poor parents: Which would be the better parents? Why?

Question

I asked a question about single women who wanted to have children on their own, and most of the responses said that it depended on if the parent was financially and emotionally prepared. Others said it was selfish, since it was difficult to caretake a child with two parents.

It made me curious, since fianances and money are so important in our culture, which do you think would be the better parent, a single wealthy parent (male or female) or two poor parents? Why?

Would it make any difference to you if the single parent was a man or woman?

Answer 1

I agree with most of the posts that it boils down to parenting skills.

The only thing I would mention is that it's very easy to diss single women as parents - except of course when the situation is that her husband has died. so, there seems to be a stigma on the single female parent. (and none of the "bread winner" benefits).

single women are also very good at teaching the value of money (in contrast to what that other poster said) - as can be attested by the small salaries many single moms have while raising kids. my sister raised 2 on a meager salary (no child support) & both turned out fine. i marvel at the budgeting skills of most single moms.

i think single dads are just as capable of raising kids, too. both genders bring value to child rearing.

i would add that although it's great to have both parents - it can be a living nightmare to have 2 parents that argue or fight. so, altho 2 can be better than one, it depends on their relationship skills as well as their parenting skills ~

Answer 2

I think it is all in the person I have seen great single poor/rich male and female parents and i have also se horrible poor/rich single rents. It has nothing to do with having alot of money it is a question of r u ready to support another life? If you do not feel that you have enough money to feed the child then don't have it, but on the other hand if you are going to do nothing but turn a child into a menace of society with lots of money dont have one. Children will turn out just find if nurtured ,loved,taught and cared for no matter what the income.

Answer 3

The two poor parents would be the better parents for the child because they will be able to give the moral values and teach the child the value of a dollar. Also, by being poor, the child will learn money management skills and be able to one day give back to society because he will know what it is like to be poor. By being wealthy, most of those children are spoiled, and would not learn how to cope if they were to become poor. I feel that a single wealthy man would teach a child more values that a single wealthy woman because most men do know the value of a dollar, and they know that they worked hard to get where they are in life, and they would teach their children the value of a dollar.

Answer 4

What is poor? What is rich?

I think rich people and poor people can be both excellent parents. It boils down to how involved a parent(s) are in their children's lives as to how good a parent they are.... not how much money they have...

Yes being rich will make it easier for the parent and the child. But I have also known of children from poor families teachers, doctors and lawyers... So being poor didn't hold them back. But the parents in those families were involved the childhood years, making sure their child did the right things and encouraging them to get an education.

Answer 5

Two poor parents, hands down. Love trumps all the money in the world.

How much money is a good mother or father worth? Who would trade their loving mother or father for any amount of money?

Having both a mother and father is better than having just one or the other, regardless of how much wealth the one has.

Lots of happy, well adjusted people were raised financially poor, but rich in love and relationships, and lessons learned from both parents.

Money and possessions are fleeting. The impact of good parents lasts a lifetime.

Makes no difference if it's a single mom or dad - they both have challenges raising a kid alone.

Answer 6

hmm neither, how much love is there for the kids, and how is the discipline, and who watches the kids 24-7 (with few or little breaks unless it is school for the kids)

I am a great mom, I am working two jobs (one started 2 weeks ago and the second I started today) the dad won't help AT ALL! after 4 months he is just barely going to see them in a secured supervised place (and it costs money! I have to pay too) I get Medical assistance (have to fight them to pay the bills), WIC (get little food for free monthly), and MFIP= $522 cash and $388 food per month (this is to raise and provide for two toddlers, did I mention that I live in moorhead (next to fargo ND) MN? we get as cold as -75 below zero with windshields! yeah thats in F degrees, so I need to get bulky clothes for them (and thats not cheap either! and for free there is nothing!) Two parents doesn't mean diddly to me, and one doesn't either it is all about who you are who the other person is and who is taking care of the kids, or if you dump them off on hired help or someone else... I see too many people ditching their kids to go have fun and shop! I would like to do that once a month, but hmm no way to do that even if I wanted to I am starting over with nothing. So I hope this informs you that you can make it as a poor single person too, I am suprised I made it this far, I am choosing to pay $250 month rent to my dad so I don't feel so bad and so I am not using anyone... I don't want to use anyone. Even though I am poor and people think your poor you = trash and users.

Answer 7

Honestly, I'm not sure. Every parent's job is to allocate resources - time, money, education, etc. So I guess it would depend on how those resources get allocated.

If the rich single parent "bought" time with his or her money - hired a maid, got take-out every night, and perhaps switched schedules around to spend more time at home, they could really "outperform" two poor parents.

If the poor parents are walking the kid to the library every day after school, are cooking from scratch to save money for proper clothes and things for the child, and are really able to make the kid feel "taken care of", then perhaps they are going to "outperform" a rich person who spends all evening watching the stock market while the kid puts himself to sleep at night.

Either way, a good parent is one who spends most of his or her resources on a child, whether single, married, rich, poor, gay, straight, working, or at home. If at the end of the day, most of your time was spent for the betterment of your kids, you deserve a pat on the back.

Answer 8

Two poor parents, because a child needs a mother and a father. Besides, the wealthy parent might shuttle the child off to boarding school for all we know.

Answer 9

Money doesn't affect parenting. I've been a poor single parent and a successful married parent. All that matters is that you love your children unconditionally, give them the attention they deserve, and teach them the important things in life. These things can be done with or without money, and with or without 2 parents, regardless of the sex of the parent. I've met horrible single parents and great single parents, rich or poor. Same goes for rich/poor parents. Its all relative :)

Answer 10

I don't think that money has anything to do with it. It is all about the love that you give your child, when we had our daughter we were dirt poor & now we have the money to be able to buy her what she wants & needs & able to take her to places on the week-end with money not being an issue & we have always been great parents. She has never thought of it in a different way!

Even if you are poor you can go to the park with your child, read them stories, and do many thinge with them to show your love & it will not cost a dime! In my opnion if a parent says that they can not be a good parent to their child b/c they have no money that is just a crappy co-out reason!