Yes, we agree. I will add only that when help from churches, family, ect. isn't available, there should be state or federal assistance. I will share a personal story with you. I have a cousin who is my age. When we were young women we were both pregnant at the same time. I stood next to her at a funeral, talking about our life plans. She said she was going on welfare. I must have looked shocked because she quickly followed it up with, "I don't want to but I want stay at home with my baby." Heck, I did too but I, at least, had to work part time to supplement my husband's income. Skip to today, she has lived off of government assistance her entire life. She is raising her grandchildren now and struggles a lot. There are times I've helped her out financially. While she has been a wonderful grandmother, raising three young children in her 50's, she has never held a job. She rode the welfare train, not expecting the big reform of the mid 90's. Even after that, she has never worked even a part time job. I feel badly for her but can't help but look at the quality of our lives and think back to that moment in our early 20's. Our lives have gone so differently because of that one defining decision. Once some9one gets into the system, regardless of how difficult living off of social benefits has become, it is difficult for them to re enter society as a contributing member. Sad.
