This is not necessarily MY OU, but I ran across it on FB the other day and thought it was interesting. Since this thread is stone cold today, maybe this will heat it up.
If you're on government assistance, you should be on birth control, as well.
It's an interesting concept. Part of me thinks it's fundamentally wrong for the government to control reproduction. But another part of me thinks it's pretty smart from an economic stand point. I mean, let's be honest, if you're not able to provide financially for yourself and the kids you've already got, you should NOT be having more.
@copperboom86 I have feelings on that, but probably shouldn't get into them.
I'll post my UO that got people all heated last time I was on TB. I don't, nor will I, kiss my kid on the lips. I don't know why, it's just too intimate for me.
@JamieK1882 - People kissing their kids on the lips seems weird to me too, but only because I wasn't raised that way. I'm sure if I was, it would seem perfectly normal.
I won't be doing it with my kids mainly because mouths gross me out. I don't drink after anyone, including DH. I can handle vomit and poopy diapers all day long, but thinking about my baby's drool getting on or in my mouth makes me gag!
Kind of a roll off copperbooms. But I think if you are on EI or welfare (Canada's programs) you should be weekly drug tested. If it's positive your money stops. I also feel the whole First Nations thing is way out of hand here. I mean when someone turns 18 they get huge treaty's. When can we stop with the pay offs and just all be Canadians and be treated the same.
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I think I'm all for Elsa getting a girlfriend. I know, If Disney wants to stay relevant and stay progressive, they should keep up with the times and not skirt around the LGBT issue.
@annabenanna This doesn't really have to do with the girlfriend or no girlfriend thing for Elsa, but I had not seen Frozen until recently....and with all the hype of little kids dressing up like Elsa, I felt like the movie was barely even about her. We spent more time getting to know Anna. Is it just me? Do I need to watch it again??
And I'm not entirely sure how I avoided watching the movie for as long as I did.
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
To weigh in on the drug testing/Government assistance convo. I think it sounds good in theory but the cost of drug testing all of those people is way more than what the Government would save in denying the few who tested positive. Similar programs were tested in a few different cities in the US and the drug testing was way more costly. I'd have to track down the article I read, I'll admit it may have been from a biased source so who knows.
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
I think that's why planned parenthoods should stay available and not be de-funded. They provide free birth control and contraceptives. The amount of help the provide to lower income, younger aged, women AND men are far greater than the abortion debate. Which I also won't get into.
My UO is that breastfeeding for comfort weirds me out. I want to breastfeed and plan to breastfeed for as long as I can, for nutritional values and purposes (also - that shit is free!) but once a child is no longer getting the milk or has teeth and can eat regular food, or is solely on the boob as a comfort thing... It kinda weirds me out. Give me my tatas back. They are used as a pleasurable part of sex for me, as well, so it's easy for me to separate the two for necessity and food for my child, just not comfort.
I think that's why planned parenthoods should stay available and not be de-funded. They provide free birth control and contraceptives. The amount of help the provide to lower income, younger aged, women AND men are far greater than the abortion debate. Which I also won't get into.
ALL OF THIS!!!!!! #standwithplannedparenthood
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
Kind of a roll off copperbooms. But I think if you are on EI or welfare (Canada's programs) you should be weekly drug tested. If it's positive your money stops. I also feel the whole First Nations thing is way out of hand here. I mean when someone turns 18 they get huge treaty's. When can we stop with the pay offs and just all be Canadians and be treated the same.
We've tried that in a few states in the US, and data shows that the cost seriously outweighs the benefits. But I'm also someone who thinks weed should be legalized, so there's that.
@ibabyloveb87 I definitely feel like Anna got the raw end of the deal. Elsa is the reason for the story, but not the focal character. Anna is brave, persistent, clever, and does pretty darn well in the real world after being sheltered her entire life. Where is the Anna love?? Maybe my UO is that Anna is a much more engaging character than Elsa. Elsa figures it out at the end, but is basically dragged along kicking and screaming.
I also wiiiish I had more time for UO today I'd love to dig into a few of the controversial ones, but once lunch is over I won't have bump time. Make it a good one guys!
I think that's why planned parenthoods should stay available and not be de-funded. They provide free birth control and contraceptives. The amount of help the provide to lower income, younger aged, women AND men are far greater than the abortion debate. Which I also won't get into.
ALL OF THIS!!!!!! #standwithplannedparenthood
I could go on for days on this, and have lol. Let's just say, YES! I agree!
I wouldn't be cool with the government telling someone they need to be on a medication (albeit a safe one for most people, but a medication with side effects nonetheless) that they aren't consenting to under pretty much any circumstances. It gets way too close to eugenics for my comfort.
My UO is that breastfeeding for comfort weirds me out. I want to breastfeed and plan to breastfeed for as long as I can, for nutritional values and purposes (also - that shit is free!) but once a child is no longer getting the milk or has teeth and can eat regular food, or is solely on the boob as a comfort thing... It kinda weirds me out. Give me my tatas back. They are used as a pleasurable part of sex for me, as well, so it's easy for me to separate the two for necessity and food for my child, just not comfort.
I totally agree. I have a cousin who nurses a toddler for comfort and jokes about her nipple being a pacifier. I'm always weirded out by it.
@scostel2 - I agree somewhat. Although, the government wouldn't be forcing anyone to take medication. It would be a mandate to receive government assistance. You could opt out of taking the medication by simply refusing assistance.
I agree about Planned Parenthood. Keep. That. Shit. Open. Free contraceptives, free medical consultations and advice for women who need it and can't afford it---man, there seems to only be good things there. If people on government programs are going to be asked to cool it with the procreating (which is an entire other discussion) then there has to be something in place to help them otherwise it's not going to happen. It's a Catch-22.
I also agree about Anna. I think Elsa gets all the hype because she's got the supercool winter powers and Anna doesn't but Elsa would also have been fucked without Anna so she needs some more spotlight!
I feel like I can never think of an UO no matter how hard I try.
@scostel2 - I agree somewhat. Although, the government wouldn't be forcing anyone to take medication. It would be a mandate to receive government assistance. You could opt out of taking the medication by simply refusing assistance.
It's not that simple of a choice though. SNAP (food stamps) for example, almost 3/4 of the money for SNAP goes to households with children. So it's more like the government telling someone "go on birth control or else you won't be able to feed your kids." That's not really giving someone a free choice. Also, it would really just punish women more since there is no male equivalent.
I think that's why planned parenthoods should stay available and not be de-funded. They provide free birth control and contraceptives. The amount of help the provide to lower income, younger aged, women AND men are far greater than the abortion debate. Which I also won't get into.
I'm a Christian moderate and even I see that there's a need for Planned Parenthood. As I've mentioned before, I am pro-life (not getting into that either lol), so I don't agree with that particular service, but there's an obvious need for the other services PP provides. From my point of view, the abortion rate would be exponentially higher if we were to withdraw funding altogether.
On the government assistance issue: I like the idea of anyone who receives assistance being drug tested. However, from the studies I have seen (that were linked above), I see that it was not really cost effective.
Another program I would like to see them try is a volunteer program for those on assistance. Maybe that those who are on assistance are required to conduct 10 hours per week of volunteer work. But I also know there would be flaws in this. Such as many of the people may not have transportation or child care during those times.
A lot of things are nice in theory but to put them into practice are a lot more complicated.
It's not that simple of a choice though. SNAP (food stamps) for example, almost 3/4 of the money for SNAP goes to households with children. So it's more like the government telling someone "go on birth control or else you won't be able to feed your kids." That's not really giving someone a free choice. Also, it would really just punish women more since there is no male equivalent.
Both good points.
It's clear our welfare system needs reform, but I'm sure glad it doesn't fall to me to make those kinds of decisions for our country!
@ibabyloveb87Anna got a raw deal... I think everyone just fawns over Elsa because of her one big number. Anna was definitely the brave, charismatic, strong female character little girls should be looking up to!
I think that's why planned parenthoods should stay available and not be de-funded. They provide free birth control and contraceptives. The amount of help the provide to lower income, younger aged, women AND men are far greater than the abortion debate. Which I also won't get into.
My UO is that breastfeeding for comfort weirds me out. I want to breastfeed and plan to breastfeed for as long as I can, for nutritional values and purposes (also - that shit is free!) but once a child is no longer getting the milk or has teeth and can eat regular food, or is solely on the boob as a comfort thing... It kinda weirds me out. Give me my tatas back. They are used as a pleasurable part of sex for me, as well, so it's easy for me to separate the two for necessity and food for my child, just not comfort.
A lot of babies have teeth and eat regular food at 6 months. I wouldn't stop nursing a 6 month old.
I should save this for tomorrow, but I have never seen Frozen and I have no desire to. I also am not team, Elsa needs a girlfriend. I am team - Elsa needs to stay a strong independent woman who don't need no man (or woman)! All the Disney princesses seem to have that in common, I like that she doesn't.
Also, yes, abortion aside, PP does much greater things and the abortion rate would HAVE to go up of those things were withdrawn. People aren't going to stop having sex, but they will be less careful about it if things are no longer offered to them affordably. I am pro-choice if it requires a label, but I have multiple stances in different parts of it. It doesn't affect me, so it's not my business. That's how I want people to view my life and decisions, so that's what I try to give other people.
I should save this for tomorrow, but I have never seen Frozen and I have no desire to. I also am not team, Elsa needs a girlfriend. I am team - Elsa needs to stay a strong independent woman who don't need no man (or woman)! All the Disney princesses seem to have that in common, I like that she doesn't.
As a bisexual, I would love for Elsa to be gay or bi. As a parent who loved that both Brave and Frozen ditched the epic love story of most Disney movies and focused on strong women and family relationships, I don't want Elsa to have a love interest.
I love and need LGBT representation, but not *every* LGBT character needs to have a story that's all about finding love or coming out. I want more characters who are gay or bi and that is just a part of who they are, it's not the whole story.
So if Disney made her a lesbian, I would be ecstatic. Have her awkwardly flirt with a handmaiden or check out the Princess from a neighboring country. But the focus of her story should be about her being the queen and how she deals with being a woman with these magical powers. I think it's just as important to ditch the stereotypical fairy tale in kids movies as it is to teach them to accept all kinds of people. And you can do both at the same time.
That's just my humble opinion. Other members of the LGBT community may feel differently though.
I think all government assistance is a tough one no matter how you look at it. The people that abuse the system are the ones who cause all the stigma surrounding it. I will speak from personal experience here, for the first time in my life I am on SNAP as well as WIC and I can tell you I way overqualify per their standards. I hate being on either assistance, it is embarassing and humiliating. I make sure to use every self checkout I can and when they are broken my anxiety goes into high gear because I don't want people judging me based on what they think they know. My FI and I have had a rough year, we ended up PGAL back in August and I couldn't be happier about this life inside of me. Let's say we ended up on the assistance before I was PG this time around and a worker said to me "Well you have to be on birth control to be on this assistance", I honestly don't know what choice I would have made. I am 38 years old and this to me, was my last chance to have a baby with my FI. I also don't like birth control, I was on it before and I really hated what it did to my body and I don't think it is natural. I understand that most people on assistance are not like me, they don't view it as temporary and don't care that they are on it. This eats away at my soul every day and I know at some point things will be better and I won't need it. It pains me when I am on FB for example and friends and relatives are posting their thoughts on SNAP or WIC or whatever not realizing that I receive that assistance and it hurts me deeply to see those things.
The people that abuse the system are the ones who cause all the stigma surrounding it.
I would go one further and also say the people who abuse the system are also much rarer than opponents of the programs would have you believe. My family did not have much growing up and most people in my
family and my neighborhood and schools were on some form of assistance at one point or
another. Like you, most people on SNAP and WIC (and other programs like it, like housing programs, SSI, unemployment, etc) are good people who have fallen on hard times. Many are working-poor, many are single parents, most would rather have a good job that allowed them to not be on benefits any more. Lots of statistics also show that programs like SNAP actually stimulate the economy at a higher rate too.
My related and possibly UO is that I would much rather have my tax dollars going toward helping families and children through programs like TANF, WIC, SNAP, etc than toward the exorbitant amount we spend in military technologies and the like.
@ladyshark311 My family is also currently recieving SNAP, WIC, and I planned on applying for the Child Care Subsidy until Oklahoma decided to do away with it in the last few days. Posts like these make me feel embarrassed and ashamed for not having everything I used to have, or everything we need right now without assistance, but as it happens so often to so many people, we have fallen on hard times and the technicalities of our specific situations further complicate matters. There was a time in my life when I had all kinds of opinions on how government and state assistance should be regulated, who should qualify, this that and the other, until I needed it. Until I saw just how difficult it really is to recieve, and how much effort the few that DO abuse it would really have to put in to keeping that abuse going. I don't know about other states, but in mine you have to be able to provide proof of everything you are stating when applying for assistance.
@AllyTheKid You are absolutely right about that, it is not easy to get the assistance in any way and it is a very long process and I don't know that people realize that if they have never had to do it. I am sorry you are going through it as well and I hope you no longer have the need to soon!
I was on food stamps while in college. I have zero shame or anxieties regarding that situation. I too had a friend who bad-mouthed welfare recipients, and she was pretty embarrassed when I told her. I was in school full time, working part time and living with my then-boyfriend who worked full time. I live in an expensive area, and I definitely qualified. The funny thing to me was that when my boyfriend got a raise, I called to cancel my EBT benefits and THEY GAVE ME A REALLY HARD TIME about canceling it. It was kind of strange.
Agree that you can't be doing what basically amounts to population experiments on people. As a PP said, most govt assistance goes towards *children.* Seriously, would you literally take food and medical away from innocent kids because mom and dad are fucked up? That day would mark the start of a sad, sad turn of events for the country.
Also agree that we could spend about a zillion less on military BS and give it to people who need it...say implement a paid maternity leave system? And still be a world military leader.
My UO, which may not be as unpopular as I thought, do away with the US military. At least the offensive side. It's neither America's job nor right to police the world.
There are so many misconceptions about people on government assistance and I think it leads to some bad policy proposals. For one things, as a Forbes article posits (https://www.forbes.com/sites/beltway/2015/06/04/how-many-americans-get-government-assistance-all-of-us/#26fa6820ebce), almost all Americans get government assistance through tax credits, retirement plans, unemployment benefits and employee-sponsored health insurance, just to name a few (not to mention federally subsidized student loans for almost everyone who has gone to college in the past twenty years). We just tend to stigmatize some more than others. Can you imagine if you were only allowed to claim a certain number of children as dependents (say, one or even two) on your taxes? Can you imagine the outrage at the government interference in your personal choices?
For another thing, I think most recipients of means-tested benefits (WIC, medicaid, SNAP, etc.) are like @ladyshark311in that they don't consider it a lifestyle choice. It's a temporary safety net. Most recipients of benefits either work at least part time or are physically unable to work. In fact, some programs, like TANF, require people receiving benefits to work at least 30 hours a week to continue receiving benefits. Also, you can't live on welfare benefits. I think the average SNAP recipient gets $134 a month. Imagine trying to eat on $134 a month.
So, I think requiring recipients of these means-tested benefits to submit to drug testing (which 1) has been held to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals; and 2) ended up costing the state of Florida $45,000 more than it saved) or to be on birth control (which sounds like a gross violation of personal autonomy) is just a way of shaming people who are availing themselves of something we all get at some point in our lives - government assistance.
My UO is that breastfeeding for comfort weirds me out. I want to breastfeed and plan to breastfeed for as long as I can, for nutritional values and purposes (also - that shit is free!) but once a child is no longer getting the milk or has teeth and can eat regular food, or is solely on the boob as a comfort thing... It kinda weirds me out. Give me my tatas back. They are used as a pleasurable part of sex for me, as well, so it's easy for me to separate the two for necessity and food for my child, just not comfort.
I totally agree. I have a cousin who nurses a toddler for comfort and jokes about her nipple being a pacifier. I'm always weirded out by it.
Weirds me out too.
On that note, UO: breastfeeding toddlers. I understand that in some cultures and parts of the world it is normal, or even necessary for development, but I'm talking USA urban living where there's more than just rice and millet to supplement the boob. People can do what they want, but I always raise an eyebrow at toddlers sucking on the tatas. If they can have a conversation (or tantrum) with their moms asking (demanding) for milk, it weirds me out. I always think walking and talking kids who still suck on their moms' boobs become those creepy gropey frat boys infatuated by breasts down the road.
To weigh in on the drug testing/Government assistance convo. I think it sounds good in theory but the cost of drug testing all of those people is way more than what the Government would save in denying the few who tested positive. Similar programs were tested in a few different cities in the US and the drug testing was way more costly. I'd have to track down the article I read, I'll admit it may have been from a biased source so who knows.
I agree, it would be costly. I just hate seeing drug addicts clog the system when there is lots of people with more valid needs. Single moms that have left abusive relationships for example. I feel the moms are more in need than someone who has made shitty choices and needs herion. There is no perfect system obviously, still is shame to see so many people abuse it though.
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I think that's why planned parenthoods should stay available and not be de-funded. They provide free birth control and contraceptives. The amount of help the provide to lower income, younger aged, women AND men are far greater than the abortion debate. Which I also won't get into.
My UO is that breastfeeding for comfort weirds me out. I want to breastfeed and plan to breastfeed for as long as I can, for nutritional values and purposes (also - that shit is free!) but once a child is no longer getting the milk or has teeth and can eat regular food, or is solely on the boob as a comfort thing... It kinda weirds me out. Give me my tatas back. They are used as a pleasurable part of sex for me, as well, so it's easy for me to separate the two for necessity and food for my child, just not comfort.
A lot of babies have teeth and eat regular food at 6 months. I wouldn't stop nursing a 6 month old.
I am all for other women who want to comfort nurse, it's just not my cup of tea. I hope I am able to still be breastfeeding at that age, and what you bolded was moreso me saying that's all they were eating. Not just two-toothed and baby food. If it works for you and your babies, then that's awesome. I just know it won't work for me. I suppose that's why I knew it would be a UO though.
Re: UO Thursday (May 26)
If you're on government assistance, you should be on birth control, as well.
It's an interesting concept. Part of me thinks it's fundamentally wrong for the government to control reproduction. But another part of me thinks it's pretty smart from an economic stand point. I mean, let's be honest, if you're not able to provide financially for yourself and the kids you've already got, you should NOT be having more.
Aaaaaaaaand GO.
@copperboom86 I have feelings on that, but probably shouldn't get into them.
I'll post my UO that got people all heated last time I was on TB. I don't, nor will I, kiss my kid on the lips. I don't know why, it's just too intimate for me.
I won't be doing it with my kids mainly because mouths gross me out. I don't drink after anyone, including DH. I can handle vomit and poopy diapers all day long, but thinking about my baby's drool getting on or in my mouth makes me gag!
Edited for clarity.
But I think if you are on EI or welfare (Canada's programs) you should be weekly drug tested. If it's positive your money stops.
I also feel the whole First Nations thing is way out of hand here. I mean when someone turns 18 they get huge treaty's. When can we stop with the pay offs and just all be Canadians and be treated the same.
And I'm not entirely sure how I avoided watching the movie for as long as I did.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
My UO is that breastfeeding for comfort weirds me out. I want to breastfeed and plan to breastfeed for as long as I can, for nutritional values and purposes (also - that shit is free!) but once a child is no longer getting the milk or has teeth and can eat regular food, or is solely on the boob as a comfort thing... It kinda weirds me out. Give me my tatas back. They are used as a pleasurable part of sex for me, as well, so it's easy for me to separate the two for necessity and food for my child, just not comfort.
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
Here's an interesting article on the subject. https://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/02/26/3624447/tanf-drug-testing-states/
ETA: Like @MRSCORKER said, this particular article is from a biased source, but I've read other out there that aren't.
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
I also wiiiish I had more time for UO today I'd love to dig into a few of the controversial ones, but once lunch is over I won't have bump time. Make it a good one guys!
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
I also agree about Anna. I think Elsa gets all the hype because she's got the supercool winter powers and Anna doesn't but Elsa would also have been fucked without Anna so she needs some more spotlight!
I feel like I can never think of an UO no matter how hard I try.
It's not that simple of a choice though. SNAP (food stamps) for example, almost 3/4 of the money for SNAP goes to households with children. So it's more like the government telling someone "go on birth control or else you won't be able to feed your kids." That's not really giving someone a free choice. Also, it would really just punish women more since there is no male equivalent.
Another program I would like to see them try is a volunteer program for those on assistance. Maybe that those who are on assistance are required to conduct 10 hours per week of volunteer work. But I also know there would be flaws in this. Such as many of the people may not have transportation or child care during those times.
A lot of things are nice in theory but to put them into practice are a lot more complicated.
Dating: 10/3/08 | Married: 12/27/14
TTC #1: August 2015 | BFP: 2/3/16 | EDD: 10/7/16
DD: 10/5/16
TTC #2: September 2017 | BFP: 4/28/18 | EDD: 1/7/19
DS: 1/9/19
It's clear our welfare system needs reform, but I'm sure glad it doesn't fall to me to make those kinds of decisions for our country!
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
LFAF April Siggy: TV/Movie BFFs
BFP #4 1/2016, DD born 10/2016
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
Also, yes, abortion aside, PP does much greater things and the abortion rate would HAVE to go up of those things were withdrawn. People aren't going to stop having sex, but they will be less careful about it if things are no longer offered to them affordably. I am pro-choice if it requires a label, but I have multiple stances in different parts of it. It doesn't affect me, so it's not my business. That's how I want people to view my life and decisions, so that's what I try to give other people.
Dating: 10/3/08 | Married: 12/27/14
TTC #1: August 2015 | BFP: 2/3/16 | EDD: 10/7/16
DD: 10/5/16
TTC #2: September 2017 | BFP: 4/28/18 | EDD: 1/7/19
DS: 1/9/19
I love and need LGBT representation, but not *every* LGBT character needs to have a story that's all about finding love or coming out. I want more characters who are gay or bi and that is just a part of who they are, it's not the whole story.
So if Disney made her a lesbian, I would be ecstatic. Have her awkwardly flirt with a handmaiden or check out the Princess from a neighboring country. But the focus of her story should be about her being the queen and how she deals with being a woman with these magical powers. I think it's just as important to ditch the stereotypical fairy tale in kids movies as it is to teach them to accept all kinds of people. And you can do both at the same time.
That's just my humble opinion. Other members of the LGBT community may feel differently though.
My related and possibly UO is that I would much rather have my tax dollars going toward helping families and children through programs like TANF, WIC, SNAP, etc than toward the exorbitant amount we spend in military technologies and the like.
Posts like these make me feel embarrassed and ashamed for not having everything I used to have, or everything we need right now without assistance, but as it happens so often to so many people, we have fallen on hard times and the technicalities of our specific situations further complicate matters.
There was a time in my life when I had all kinds of opinions on how government and state assistance should be regulated, who should qualify, this that and the other, until I needed it. Until I saw just how difficult it really is to recieve, and how much effort the few that DO abuse it would really have to put in to keeping that abuse going. I don't know about other states, but in mine you have to be able to provide proof of everything you are stating when applying for assistance.
You do with your body as you want and parent as you want. That being said...
In my book, comfort nursing is magic. Pure, unadulterated, magic.
ETA: DS is 2.5yo
Agree that you can't be doing what basically amounts to population experiments on people. As a PP said, most govt assistance goes towards *children.* Seriously, would you literally take food and medical away from innocent kids because mom and dad are fucked up? That day would mark the start of a sad, sad turn of events for the country.
Also agree that we could spend about a zillion less on military BS and give it to people who need it...say implement a paid maternity leave system? And still be a world military leader.
DS#2 due 25 April 2019
For another thing, I think most recipients of means-tested benefits (WIC, medicaid, SNAP, etc.) are like @ladyshark311 in that they don't consider it a lifestyle choice. It's a temporary safety net. Most recipients of benefits either work at least part time or are physically unable to work. In fact, some programs, like TANF, require people receiving benefits to work at least 30 hours a week to continue receiving benefits. Also, you can't live on welfare benefits. I think the average SNAP recipient gets $134 a month. Imagine trying to eat on $134 a month.
So, I think requiring recipients of these means-tested benefits to submit to drug testing (which 1) has been held to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals; and 2) ended up costing the state of Florida $45,000 more than it saved) or to be on birth control (which sounds like a gross violation of personal autonomy) is just a way of shaming people who are availing themselves of something we all get at some point in our lives - government assistance.
On that note, UO: breastfeeding toddlers. I understand that in some cultures and parts of the world it is normal, or even necessary for development, but I'm talking USA urban living where there's more than just rice and millet to supplement the boob. People can do what they want, but I always raise an eyebrow at toddlers sucking on the tatas. If they can have a conversation (or tantrum) with their moms asking (demanding) for milk, it weirds me out. I always think walking and talking kids who still suck on their moms' boobs become those creepy gropey frat boys infatuated by breasts down the road.