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My wife worked in a school that was in a Slum in the US. All the kids parents were on welfare. The amount of graft we saw was unbelievable. One kid came to scho

My wife worked in a school that was in a Slum in the US. All the kids parents were on welfare. The amount of graft we saw was unbelievable. One kid came to school in a taxi every morning because the mother would go out partying at night and not wake up in time to bring him to school. Another was in pain because his pants were so old and tight. He walked around with his pants undone, but his mom had the money for fancy manicures. Notices to parents went unread. She would hold parent teacher conferences days and nights so everyone would have a chance to come no matter their schedule, but in a class of 30 1 or 2 would show. Her stories in the staff room were not unique. What is the alternative to this kind of behavior? We can't judge or criticize? I don't mean for sport or in spite, but how else can we evolve the laws?

potatolicious 17y ago
Surely we can judge or criticize - the idea is not to pretend that these don't exist, the idea is that it's dangerous to subscribe to it in broad strokes. The poor and homeless have complex situation that really should be dealt case-by-case. Note also that the notion that we shouldn't give a shit about these people, and just let 'em rot, is also unproductive - in this case the children would never get to school, would never have the opportunity to get educated, succeed, and exit poverty. I'm really not experienced enough in this field to say what would be the right solution to poverty - I doubt many people are. Whatever it is though, simply pulling the plug on irresponsible people is not helpful.