High school in chicago...

[PegLeg45]

Another sad reflection of the declining morality and poor upbringing in the US.
It's not just Chicago, either, it's everywhere you look. You can't go out in public anymore (even in small towns) without seeing half a dozen teen-aged mothers or mothers-to-be. Many of them think it's the cool thing to do.

[MikeBjerum]

When I started college in 1991 my eyes were open to the reallity I already knew - at that time we were in third generation welfare families:  Grandpa and Grandma had received welfare for the hand up it was intended; mom and dad expanded it to more usage and some made a career of it; and the grandchildren were now following in the "family business."  That was 18 years ago, and we have now added a fourth generation.

I'm often called cruel and unfeeling, but it is time to break the cycle.  Welfare is for a hand up, a way to get people back on their feet and on to the freedom available to them, and to allow for more than the community network (family, friends and churches) can afford.  We need strict limits on how much is available to any individual or family, how long they can get it, and what they can do with it (can anyone say drug and alcohol testing to receive your benefits).  Mentoring is another thing these people need.  They need possitive roll models in their lives, and mentoring programs should also be maditory.

Until we put responsibility in the program we will see young people that either don't care about the ramifications of their actions, or see "breeding" as an upward carreer move.

[tombogan03884]

Welfare should be administered at the LOCAL level so that it goes to those who NEED it rather than those who are to lazy to steal.
Also if you are enrolled in an "entitlement program" you can not vote.

[Hazcat]

Welfare should be administered at the LOCAL level so that it goes to those who NEED it rather than those who are to lazy to steal.
Also if you are enrolled in an "entitlement program" you can not vote.

and you have to pass a piss test.

[Bic]

I recently overheard a young, unmarried mother, barmaid giving the following advice to a waitress of similar age who was bemoaning her lack of income......."Have a kid, have two - you'll about double your money!"  

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

iIdo support the daycare as if these girls don't graduate they will be on the dole for life and those kids will either wind up in jail or doing the same damn thing. The idea of a piss test and requiring them to show attendence and satisfactory progress should added too. The one big reform I want to see though, is getting the fathers to pay their share. Before you get the dole you have to name the father. Do a  mandatory DNA test and then the state should haul him into court to get child support assigned which will go to reimburse the taxpayers. These guys may not want to do the right thing and be a dad, but they will have that payment every month for 18 years,enforced by the courts under deadbeat dad laws. That might make them at least buy a damn condom. As it is, they skate scott freeand the girl, the kid and her mother, as well as the taxpayer take the hit. That needs to stop. At the very least the horny little suckers can pay right along with the rest of us.
FQ13.