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A little googling: TANF (the last vestige of single-mother welfare) is ~$30bn/yr for the whole US, state & federal contribution. SSDI (a mix of people with se

A little googling: TANF (the last vestige of single-mother welfare) is ~$30bn/yr for the whole US, state & federal contribution. SSDI (a mix of people with severe medical problems and the work-shy) is $150bn/yr. OASI (I'm old - gimmie money) is $813bn/yr Medicare (I'm old - gimmie healthcare) is $709bn/yr Single mother welfare is a rounding error in the budget compared to other subsidies and welfare, which is mostly diverted towards older and wealthier people. I'm not just talking about cash welfare -- try holding down a job while raising a kid by your own and see how much our society will bend over backwards to accommodate any lifestyle choice other than single child-rearing. I don't have a dog in this fight - I'm a middle-aged, childless single guy. But I have eyes to see and it doesn't take much research to figure out who's getting the short end of the stick in our social order.

antisthenes 9y ago
I appreciate the elaboration of your position, we seem to have more in common than originally thought. > But I have eyes to see and it doesn't take much research to figure out who's getting the short end of the stick in our social order. Part of the plight of single mothers is rising inequality and inability of the fathers to find decent jobs. Whenever arguments about children are made, I strongly believe at looking at a broader picture - how can we make sure the child grows up in a nuclear family for at least 16-18 years? I think that has to be looked at in the context of both sexes. Thanks for the numbers as well, although I believe medical care is also subsidized for single mothers (at their median income level). It's hard to argue against expanding TANF (One of my college Economics courses examined effectiveness of welfare programs, and found that TANF was the most beneficial as far as how far each dollar goes).

antisthenes 9y ago

I appreciate the elaboration of your position, we seem to have more in common than originally thought. > But I have eyes to see and it doesn't take much research to figure out who's getting the short end of the stick in our social order. Part of the plight of single mothers is rising inequality and inability of the fathers to find decent jobs. Whenever arguments about children are made, I strongly believe at looking at a broader picture - how can we make sure the child grows up in a nuclear family for at least 16-18 years? I think that has to be looked at in the context of both sexes. Thanks for the numbers as well, although I believe medical care is also subsidized for single mothers (at their median income level). It's hard to argue against expanding TANF (One of my college Economics courses examined effectiveness of welfare programs, and found that TANF was the most beneficial as far as how far each dollar goes).