So money is an indicator of who does and doesn't make a good parent?

I don't think so.

 

I am no parent, but I was under the assumption that it was the parents responsibility to provide for their children. Is this correct?

I am no parent, but I was under the assumption that it was the parents responsibility to provide for their children. Is this correct?

 

That question is at the heart of the debate.

Have all the children they can support. I'm good with it.

 

 

I agree. But I do take exception to the implication that minimum wage workers should be expected to live their lives differently than higher wage earners. And having been a minimum wage single parent, I can tell you a LOT of minimum wage workers are absolutely just trying to live their lives...marry, have children, etc. They're not looking to be rich. They're not looking for a hand out. They're just trying to live a happy life, pay the bills and feed their family. Being a loving, happy family isn't necessarily about how much money one has.

 

The point of the argument for a raise in the minimum wage is that everything that a minimum wage worker spends their money has risen sharply, and wages have not. The impact is seen throughout the economic scale, to be sure. But the most heavily impacted are those at the lowest levels of the scale.

That question is at the heart of the debate.

 

How does raising the minimum wage equate to government assistance? That's where I'm trying to get to. In this thread, there is an implication that a minimum wage worker is too irresponsible to care for their own and are looking for help. In my experience, that couldn't be further from the truth.

I am no parent, but I was under the assumption that it was the parents responsibility to provide for their children. Is this correct?

 

 

Who is saying that a minimum wage parent isn't? They are working.

How does raising the minimum wage equate to government assistance? That's where I'm trying to get to. In this thread, there is an implication that a minimum wage worker is too irresponsible to care for their own and are looking for help. In my experience, that couldn't be further from the truth.

 

Forced arbitrary minimum wage levels are government intervention. If a person starts a family that they can't afford then in my opinion they are irresponsible. Obviously that does not apply to all minimum wage earners, probably not even most. It can also apply to those making a heck of a lot more than minimum wage.

Who is saying that a minimum wage parent isn't? They are working.

 

I don't think anyone said that. I simply asked a question.

I hate to tell you, but gosh...some people are not ever going to be middle class. There are people who have life circumstances that just aren't going to be overcome and they will work low wage jobs because that's what's available or what their skills match. We need those people in our workforce. They power a lot of needed jobs. They wash the dishes at the restaurants you dine in. They clean up the trash in the ball stadiums you go to watch games in. They clean the rooms in hotels you stay in. And yes...a lot of these people are "lifers" in those jobs. And since 2.5% of $7.25 is .18, it's going to be a long time to earn their way out of those jobs. But for many reasons, some people will only be a housekeeper, or a dishwasher, or mow your lawn for your lawn service. Are you saying that until they earn $X/year they should avoid starting families?

 

Wow...not the world I want to live in.

So you're saying a single person working a job making min wage has no other options but to work that job the rest of their life so what the heck might as well pop out a couple of kids? How about go to school, learn a trade, do something to improve your situation.

I don't know how you can argue against it being monetarily irresponsible to intentionally have a child when you can barely provide for yourself. Yeah, you have a right to do so, but you have a right to do other things that would be irresponsible as well, yet you choose not to do them.

So money is an indicator of who does and doesn't make a good parent?

I don't think so.

 

But how is it responsible to have children when one can't afford them? I just don't see that as good decision-making. Family planning should be just that!

I don't know how you can argue against it being monetarily irresponsible to intentionally have a child when you can barely provide for yourself. Yeah, you have a right to do so, but you have a right to do other things that would be irresponsible as well, yet you choose not to do them.

Abraham Lincoln was born into poverty. I need say no more.

But how is it responsible to have children when one can't afford them? I just don't see that as good decision-making. Family planning should be just that!

 

 

We don't all make great decisions all the time. What should we do when we find ourselves with children and we're trying to be responsible and pay our own way?

 

Raising the minimum wage will move many people from eligibility for SNAP, for instance. Would we prefer that they remain on SNAP?

Thats not even apples and oranges , thats apples and celery . I think society might have changed a tad since the 1800's .

Abraham Lincoln was born into poverty. I need say no more.

 

And how much government assistance did his family get? I need say no more.

Forced arbitrary minimum wage levels are government intervention. If a person starts a family that they can't afford then in my opinion they are irresponsible. Obviously that does not apply to all minimum wage earners, probably not even most. It can also apply to those making a heck of a lot more than minimum wage.

 

These are the crux of my beef with the turn this discussion has taken.

 

1) We want to apply our biases based upon the worst case scenarios which are the minority, which penalizes those who are absolutely trying to do the right thing.

2) We want to focus our negativity on the low wage earners as irresponsible for beginning families while they are low wage earners, and we don't even acknowledge that increased wage earnings does not make one any more responsible. It's like saying that unless you have great credit you shouldn't even be thinking of having a family.