Whoa, whoa. I never once said to do away with public assistance. I've said multiple times that it's serves an excellent purpose. I also agree that many people are in tough economic situations to begin with it's an extremely difficult cycle to be broken. So don't make it look like I'm against people who have been dealt a short hand, because I'm certainly not. My initial post was about if someone already has children that they are responsible for and if they can't provide for them, it's probably not prudent for them to bring more people into the world. It came off harsh and I apologized for that.
I hear you trying to add nuance and it's a difficult issue, no doubt. But why must the change come from the person who is struggling (i.e. suggesting she opts to not have kids)? Why must we blame her? Why can't the change come from our society in the form of policies that prevent so many American citizens from falling below the poverty line? Why aren't we blaming our social structure for the ways that it amplifies income and wealth inequality?
I appreciate your thoughtful responses. Your questions are through provoking, but we have some differences in ideologies and I respect that. The opposing wind makes the kite fly higher.
Me: 27 DH: 30 Married in 2011 Baby 1: Stillborn at 27 weeks (April 2014) Baby 2: Due May 2016
This is probably more of a bitchfest than a confession, but I read a post this week that is driving me bonkers... It was about someone receiving WIC/Medicaid with their 10 month old and they are pregnant again. It's one thing if someone is in a temporary situation and needs help. That's fine; that's what the programs are there for. However, if you already have one kid that you can't afford, please don't bring another one into that situation. End rant. Now, I better get back working!
While I agree that financial responsibility is REALLY important, I think this is a pretty harsh judgement. We have no idea what her situation is. She and her s/o may work in jobs that don't provide health insurance. Birth control may have failed. S/O may have taken off. Who knows. Whatever the reason is, health insurance is EXPENSIVE and purchasing it privately is not an option for everyone. Personally I have no problem with anyone seeking public assistance for healthcare whatsoever, particularly for infants.
Family planning is important, yes, but life isn't always perfect.
Plus formula is hella' expensive. A can of formula only last two days in the early infant stages at most, and is $15 a can. WIC is awesome for supplementing the funds required for groceries while pregnant, while baby is still needing formula/breastmilk, and for a child's first five years. It's actually an awesome initiative in my opinion to make sure mom to be's and children are getting the nutrition they need, and unlike food stamps, you can only buy specific healthy foods with WIC money. While to qualify you cannot make over a certain amount annually, I don't see how utilizing WIC means that someone shouldn't have more children.
I'll add to that. My baby is 10 months old and I'm pregnant and we have wic and she has Medicaid. Wic is not just for "poor" people. My daughter is disabled and that's why we qualify. Financially we are lucky enough for me to be a SAHM and live on his income alone. This is government assistance that is my right, and all of your rights, to get if you can. I'd rather a hard working college student with a part time job get food stamps (which they can) than some lazy slob mooch who WONT get a job.
But I have to admit that it's pretty sketchy at these places and I secretly judge everyone in there.
Whoa, whoa. I never once said to do away with public assistance. I've said multiple times that it's serves an excellent purpose. I also agree that many people are in tough economic situations to begin with it's an extremely difficult cycle to be broken. So don't make it look like I'm against people who have been dealt a short hand, because I'm certainly not. My initial post was about if someone already has children that they are responsible for and if they can't provide for them, it's probably not prudent for them to bring more people into the world. It came off harsh and I apologized for that.
I hear you trying to add nuance and it's a difficult issue, no doubt. But why must the change come from the person who is struggling (i.e. suggesting she opts to not have kids)? Why must we blame her? Why can't the change come from our society in the form of policies that prevent so many American citizens from falling below the poverty line? Why aren't we blaming our social structure for the ways that it amplifies income and wealth inequality?
I appreciate your thoughtful responses. Your questions are through provoking, but we have some differences in ideologies and I respect that. The opposing wind makes the kite fly higher.
Good job keep it classy ladies! Love that we can agree to disagree and keep things civil. That's what's going to keep this BMB awesome!
People need to learn how to spell! There are FOUR -- count 'em, FOUR -- glaring errors on the front page, including two in one thread title alone! Drives a girl nuts!
ETA: I just realized this is not a confession. Thus, ETA my FFFC is that I will judge you on your grammar.
I had to go back and check out the front page. The title with four errors is just staring at me now.
If you are talking about my post that is missing a ' in "it's" I apologize for offending. I am not drinking any coffee, have not been sleeping, and my brain has turned into mush.
I'm usually really picky about grammar and spelling. But here I feel like 1. Typing on my phone is a little harder and 2. We are all pregnant.... Spelling is the laaaaassstt thing on mind
I woke up, got dressed, and went to work. I didn't shower and did nothing to my hair. In fact, I'm wearing the same clips in my hair I wore yesterday because I slept in them, and they still match.
They want us to take pictures for our staff IDs today. Really?
I'm usually really picky about grammar and spelling. But here I feel like 1. Typing on my phone is a little harder and 2. We are all pregnant.... Spelling is the laaaaassstt thing on mind
I agree with this for the most part. I'm honestly not judging people for post grammar; however, the thread title errors still annoy me.
Re: FFFC
I appreciate your thoughtful responses. Your questions are through provoking, but we have some differences in ideologies and I respect that. The opposing wind makes the kite fly higher.
Married in 2011
Baby 1: Stillborn at 27 weeks (April 2014)
Baby 2: Due May 2016
I'll add to that. My baby is 10 months old and I'm pregnant and we have wic and she has Medicaid. Wic is not just for "poor" people. My daughter is disabled and that's why we qualify. Financially we are lucky enough for me to be a SAHM and live on his income alone. This is government assistance that is my right, and all of your rights, to get if you can. I'd rather a hard working college student with a part time job get food stamps (which they can) than some lazy slob mooch who WONT get a job.
But I have to admit that it's pretty sketchy at these places and I secretly judge everyone in there.
They want us to take pictures for our staff IDs today. Really?