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In many families — especially in environments where resources are limited — tough decisions must be made. Parents often find themselves caught between supporting multiple children with little money or opportunity to go around. Unfortunately, one common mistake some families make is dropping the first child out of school to support their younger siblings' education or dreams.
Let’s be clear: this is a big mistake — one that can damage more than just one person’s future.
You Can’t Crush One Child’s Dream to Build Another's
Imagine a young boy or girl who has made it to secondary school, full of ambition, showing promise, and ready to chase their future. But then, because the family can no longer afford fees for all the children, they’re pulled out and told:
“You will stop now so your younger ones can go.”
This child, with a bright future ahead, is suddenly forced to become a sacrificial lamb — not because they failed, not because they weren’t trying, but simply because they were first.
This kind of decision can crush a person emotionally. It teaches them that their dreams are less important. And even worse — it tells them their role in life is to serve others, even at the cost of their own destiny.
The Painful Truth: Many Times, It Backfires
Many parents justify this by saying, “When your brother or sister makes it, they will help you.” But the painful truth is — this doesn’t always happen.
In fact, in many situations, the same sibling you sacrificed for might later:
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See you as less intelligent
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Look down on you for not achieving much
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Disrespect you because you’re uneducated or unemployed
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Forget the sacrifice you made
Some even go as far as pretending they don’t know you once they “make it.” The one who gave up everything to support them becomes the one they no longer want to associate with.
It’s a heartbreaking reality, but one that happens more than people like to admit.
There Must Be a Better Way
Supporting a family is never easy. Sacrifices must be made — yes. But it should never mean cancelling one child’s future to build another's. Every child deserves a fair chance. Instead of dropping one out of school, families can:
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Find part-time work or side hustles to share the load
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Speak with NGOs or community leaders for support or scholarships
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Have all children progress together, even if more slowly
The goal is balance — not building one while destroying the other.
A Message to Parents and Guardians
If you’ve ever thought about dropping one child’s education to support another, please pause. Ask yourself: “Is this truly the only way?” “Am I preparing for unity in the future, or resentment?”
Remember: When one child is made to suffer unjustly for others, it creates wounds that may never heal. And sometimes, the one you sacrificed may never forgive — or recover.
In Conclusion
Every child matters. No dream is more valuable than another. When we start to see all our children as equally worthy of support, we create stronger families, better futures, and communities built on fairness — not sacrifice.
Don’t crush one dream to build another. Build all together.
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