I think it very interesting that the Tribune should include a brief article on ”Tackling welfare” (July 27), citing personal responsibility on the part of mothers as the key ”to escaping the multi-generational poverty trap.”
The article was so brief that it failed to address what I consider to be the key issue: dependency. Anytime someone is given a government entitlement without any expectation of self-improvement, the contributing party is to blame.
When single mothers are given money without the benefits of a means to self-improvement, be it job training, education opportunity, parenting skill courses, money management courses, child care allowances for those who work for the first 3-6 months, etc., they are criticized for their failure to be responsible and independent.
If the people who criticize would reorganize the welfare program to allow these women to improve themslves so that they and their families will no longer need government entitlement provisions, America would reap rich rewards.
The solution rests with finding new and innovative methods to empower women to do for themselves.
