Family and Student Success in Benin: A Comparative Study of Students From Single-Parent and Two-Parent Families in the District of Ketu in Benin

Abstract

This study examines the living conditions of children from single-parent and two-parent families to assess their academic performance and have an idea of the impact of these two family models (single-parent, two-parent) on the academic success of children in the municipality of Ketu. The quantitative and qualitative survey involved 90 people including 60 students from single-parent and two-parent families on the one hand, and 30 parents in a situation of single parent or two-parent families on the other. The results show that the social and economic living conditions of children from single-parent families are precarious and are not conducive to an efficient academic success when we compare such results to those of children from two-parent families. The study further revealed that the absence of one parent in the household, the difficulties related to the payment of school tuition that might lead to temporary or definite exclusion of the child from school ... are some of the obstacles to school success. As a result, the backup and consolidation of marital bonds turn out to be some of the psychosocial and emotional factors that are required to ensure academic success and, in turn, the future and the full development of children in our societies.