Should poor people be allowed to raise children?

[Bangarang2434]

This is NOT how I personally feel- this is for the sake of hearing intellectual arguments on an interesting topic.The US Dept. of Agriculture predicts that if your child is born in 2000, you'll need $165,630 to feed, shelter, and provide basic necessities to them until they're 18. Bump that up to $300,000 if you want to foot the bill for higher education.There are a lot of parents out there who simply can't afford this (or can but spend their money elsewhere). Should people who can't provide these things to a child be ALLOWED to have a child? Isn't it in conflict with what social service workers would deem "the child's best interest"?Thoughts?

[shesitforme]

it's not a question about should they be able to - b/c no one can stop them from it - but it's more of is it fair to the child...and no, it's not. anyone who can't provide financial basics for their children (clothes, medicine, healthy food) should not be having children period. it's not about people not being able to lavish their children with toys, but really it's not fair to bring a child into the world when they won't have food and shelter of their own. i think it's a selfish act for people who know they can't provide to have children anyway, but they do and you can't really stop it. it's sad....

[LizR]

Not everyone is tarred by the same brush,and who are we to judge.

[bookish4163]

A responsible person does not create children that he/she cannot properly provide for. But "poor people" have had children since the beginning of time, because any living creature's biological imperative is to reproduce. You would never be able to regulate reproduction, and it's probably not a good idea to try. However, giving positive reinforcement to irresponsible behavior by financially rewarding people for having children they cannot support will encourage them to continue. It's a difficult problem: children suffer because their parents are stupid. You don't want to abandon these kids, but helping them allows the problem to continue.

[calpr8191]

No. I am poor, and think that it sucks. I would never try to bring another being to this world. I didn't ask to be here, yet I'm stuck. If poor people have nothing better to do than have sex, I understand, but don't bring your poor children into this world to be the next age of slavery for the rich. Just one persons opinion.PS: I like playing devils advocate.

[QueenofWands2296]

If what you want is a soulless society where the poor are relegated to slave status then it would seem only right to take away their right to reproduce too....there already are people without any semblance of decency and humanity, this would further that goal nicely...who needs love if you can maintain children in a luxury boarding house?Social workers are insane, I know quite a few and they are...

[popa]

we have never been cash rich but had two great kids worked as volunteer with kids to keep them from offending the programme was 98% succesful and they had no momies but my wife and I were stopped by a young man who said he had the BEST time at camp with our BEFRIENDERS we got food from warehouse free as it was just about to go out of date swam in small pool with a rope and lifebelt. our kids have grown into great adults daughter is working with police our son is a contracts manager so dont let social workers try and put down a poor family blood is stronger than any cash, time is more important spending time with family rather than sticking them in front of a tv or computer.it also is edging towards a nazi policy only the state knows best.what next sterilisation now thats pure fascist policy.popa

[dad9013]

That's really not all that much money with in an 18 year span but just think how much it would cost if all the poor children where taken and raised by the government . You would have to hire tuns of workers to care for the children that would probably triple the price if not more . You cant make people not have children that's going against human rites . Not all poor children grow up to be poor not all poor family's stay poor . This question is really ignorant maybe we should take all the rich peoples money and use it for Gods children so that all of mankind can live and prosper but you wouldn't give up your money would you . Maybe you would rather see it aborted so that you can get a $130 dollar pair of shoes or that ipod or what ever .