I have been there. I grew up in that situation and crawled out of it. I struggled for everything I have, and I saw many people who said it was too hard. For th

I have been there. I grew up in that situation and crawled out of it. I struggled for everything I have, and I saw many people who said it was too hard. For those, I have zero sympathy. There is no reason to buy beer or cigarettes. They are just a crutch. I have seen my father brought down by that, as well as cousins, sisters and brothers. If the aforementioned 51yo was living by themselves ? I could almost see their reasoning. But then again, the reason I am not in that same position is by someone who, at the age of 45(approx), spent their time pushing me to learn and not join the other wastrel youth I was surrounded by. Re: your last paragraph. Do you think that dog is being properly fed? A pet is a responsibility almost as difficult as a child in some ways, in others, moreso. I dread to think about that poor animals life in such conditions, nearly as much as I abhor the situation the articles subjects are living in.