Becoming a teenage mother is not something any parent would like to see their daughters become; however, it happens. By no means am I saying teenage pregnancy is OK just because it happens. Rather, if it happens or has happened allowing them to receive assistance with no strings attached creates future problems for the mothers and the children.
We have to understand one of the greatest issues with teenage motherhood is the assistance that will be needed in order to properly care for the child, just as well as the risk of dropping out of high school. Although the number of teenage mothers today are actually graduating or receiving their GEDs, inevitably, in many cases it still places them at a disadvantage.
Statistics states most teenage mothers already come from disadvantage homes, giving an indication their future is just as grim. In spite of the statistics and the ideal that most teenage mothers will accomplish enough education or job skill to properly care for their children in the future; instead of throwing them into a system where they receive just enough money to live above the poverty line, perhaps creating a public assistant program that allow them to earn their assistance with mandatory enrollment to trade school, college, or some sort of on the job training will help in understanding the importance of making the proper living.
In recent years there has been over 11 billion dollars spent on unwed, single, and teenage mothers. This is a substantial amount of money just to be giving away for five or so years. Although, President Clinton decided to place time limits and sanctions on welfare programs, many are falling through the cracks.
Consider, if a teenage mother or young adult mother is receiving government assistance in the form of welfare, i.e., section 8, nutritional assistance, and/or cash assistance what are we saying when we just hand it to them. Understand, I believe our country should provide some assistance to help individuals, because even those who aren't teenage mothers or single mothers don't make enough to live above the poverty line. Nonetheless, it doesn't stop it from becoming extremely expensive when we don't expect much out of the recipients. There are a number of programs that have been put into place to keep young single mothers from a second pregnancy; that's great. Perhaps, if we hold single mothers to a standard that allow them to earn their assistance, the struggle in itself to find adequate work, or achieve adequate skills and education takes them away from sitting at home; never developing any form of work ethic. I don't believe any tax payer would be upset if this was a requirement in order to receive assistance.
A great example of not holding a standard to those receiving public assistance: several years ago my church formed a committee that would be responsible for gathering food products, clothing items, and other necessities for families that were unable to get these things themselves around the holidays. As we went through one of the poorest neighborhoods in my hometown, I witnessed living arrangements and standards that were unbelievable. The families that were chosen to receive our gifts boxes and clothing boxes had been chosen by their community leader; it appeared they deserved it. However, as we were delivering these gifts, others who were not chosen were hanging outside their homes. One particular family watched as we stood around waiting for one family to arrive home. My pastor being the great man that he was happened to go across the street to inquire about the family and asked if they were in need. Here you have at least four grown adults sitting around their driveway mid-day; drinking, smoking, and shooting the breeze. Nothing is wrong with this when you are employed; not this family. The family proceeded to tell my pastor they didn't have any food in the house for the children. As kind as my pastor was he turned around and headed to the grocery store to get this family food. No offense, but you're children are unable to eat and all the adults are sitting outside smoking, joking, and drinking; which means, the little bit of money you did have you spent on your own recreation. However, I was happy to see my pastor take in consideration the children would actually suffer if he didn't get the food. Later, we were informed no one in this home worked.
The point to my story; we have allowed certain individuals to become dependent and do not hold them to a standard. I'm sure this family received some assistance, especially since no one was working. It's completely unfair to the children; they haven't asked to born to idiots, but yet they suffer. Don't confuse what I'm saying, single mothers/teenage mothers aren't idiots. But if we don't hold them to a standard; expecting more out of them, this becomes the result.
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