Well, then, I must be an alien! I had my daughter at 17 when I had no money and soon after went on public aid for a few years. Fast forward to today I went back to school, have a great job, am not rich by any means but am not poor. Our family average income is around 65k. Just because you are poor when you have kids does not mean you will be poor forever. Every person makes their own choices. I could have stayed on public aid for the full life of my child but I did not. By the time she was 5 I was self sufficient. Not everyone who has kids when they don't have much money are doomed to a life of poverty. and if anyone was headed for it I was. I was 17, high school drop out, no drivers license, no skills, NOTHING. But I decided that was not the life for me and my child. I raised my daughter by myself for most of our lives and the only help I received was a medical card for her after the age of 5. I am sure you didn't mean to generalize but I am not just like everyone else and I had ALL the strikes against me. If I can do it anyone can, you just have to want to. and that applies to people without kids too. for the record. My daughter is now 22 and has given me the most beautiful and amazing granddaughter. I am so happy that at 40 I am still young enough to enjoy my grandchild. She has worked since she was 16 for the extras she wanted, i.e. cell phone, car insurance. I bought her first car. I think I paid $500 for it. And if we have any young moms (or dads) out there that think there is no options think again! There are always options. You just have to have the desire to want more.
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