As a parent, you face around 1,750 difficult decisions in your child’s first year alone. But recent studies have shown that there is the one parenting decision that really matters when it comes to your child’s future success: where you live.
This is an interesting perspective and one that warrants further exploration. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the data cited in the article and see if it really does support the claim that raising your child in a suburb is the best parenting decision you can make.
What this boils down to is parental involvement, educational attainment, and community engagement – all things that are crucial to a child’s development. And while there are many factors that go into these three indicators, where you choose to live is one of the most important.
Get The Basics
A recent article in The Atlantic cites data from a popular economist indicating that where you raise your child is the most important parenting decision you will make in predicting your child’s future success.
The article goes on to say that the most important factor in a child’s upbringing is not their parent’s income or education level, but rather the community in which they are raised. suburbs are the best places to raise children, while cities and rural areas are at a disadvantage.
The Data Cited In The Article
The article cites data from economist Raj Chetty’s study on upward mobility in America. The study looked at over five million children and found that where they grew up had a significant impact on their future earnings as adults. Children who grew up in affluent suburbs had a much higher chance of becoming affluent adults than those who grew up in cities or rural areas.
There are a number of factors that could contribute to this difference. Suburbs tend to have lower crime rates, better schools, and more opportunities for extracurricular activities than either cities or rural areas. They also tend to be more homogeneous communities, which can provide children with a sense of stability and belonging.
Analyzing The Data
While the data cited in the article does indicate that suburban children are more likely to become prosperous adults, it is important to consider all of the factors involved before making any decisions.
Each family is unique, and what may be the best decision for one family may not be the best for another. There are a number of other important factors to consider when making the decision of where to raise your children, such as cost of living, proximity to extended family, and cultural considerations.
Conclusion:
The data cited in the article does indicate that suburban children are more likely to become prosperous adults than those who are raised in either urban or rural areas. However, there are a number of other important factors to consider when making this decision for your family.
As always, what works best for one family may not be the best for another. Ultimately, the choice of where to raise your child is a personal one that should be made taking all factors into consideration.