STATE OF OPPORTUNITY. Can Kids in Michigan Get Ahead?
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This special reporting project wrapped up in May 2017. Read more.

The link between marriage and success

Sarah Alvarez

Kids in poverty are much more likely to come from single parent homes. Because of this correlation politicians across the political spectrum (most recently Rick Santorum in his presidential bid) have pushed policies to encourage marriage. The hope is that marriage can alleviate childhood poverty.

The reasons for childhood poverty are complex. They're just as complex as the benefits of marriage and the  reasons people want, or don't want, to walk down the aisle.

Darrin and Narabia Little recently celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. Darrin Little is a big supporter of marriage and thinks it has lots to do with his children's success. He is also very in love with his wife. Narabia Little is a stay at home mom and is as calm and measured as Darrin is outgoing and energetic.

They both work hard to keep their four lovely and high-achieving daughters happy and on the straight and narrow in Inkster, a community with grim statistics for kids.

They let us listen in as they talk about why their relationship is important to them, and why they think it works.