Mormons and Gov't Aid
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:42 pm
I started writing this for a question on the Board, but I realized it was turning into a tangential rant, and was probably better suited to here. The question had to do with young Mormons having children in college, when they couldn't afford them. I know this is a very sensitive topic, but I've always been very unsettled by it, because it usually has to do with Gov't Aid, and I feel that Mormons have the wrong idea about gov't aid. The following is essentially what I had written, and I'm curious as to what other people think.
While it's none of my business and I certainly will never tell anyone what to do within the confines of their marriage (or even just their lives in general), I have to agree with you. I've always been a bit confused by those who chose (accidents happen, no judgement) to have children when they can't afford them. We've been counseled by General Authorities to do all in our power to be self-sufficient and not reliant on the government for aid, and while I understand that it is necessary sometimes, I am still a bit confused at the number of young couples having children they can't afford with the idea that the government will pay for it. A new child is already stressful enough, as is being financially shaky on your own. Putting extreme economic uncertainty (I say extreme, because a general economic uncertainty will always be present for most of the 99%) with a new baby sounds so incredibly stressful.
Admittedly, I struggle a bit to understand why God would prompt parents who can't afford a child, to have one, especially when they will be able to afford one in a year or two upon completion of school or acceptance of a job. God, via the prophets, has asked us to not rely on government aid, and my biggest concern with young, newly married college students having children without a solid financial backing is that they'll turn to governmental assistance, or their child may live the formative years of their life in poverty, lacking many opportunities to grow. Having parents that love you dearly does a lot for children, but it's naive and juvenile to believe that that is enough. I worked very closely with children in poverty for the decade that I lived in Detroit. Many of them had parents that loved them more than my own parents loved me, but the children still suffered because their parents were having children that they simply couldn't afford.
This is turning into more of a rant against governmental assistance for Mormons. Here's the thing, I'm not against governmental assistance in the slightest. Heck, it's hard to be when you grew up in Detroit during the recession and all of your friends needed gov't aid through no fault of their parents, just to survive. But I feel that we as Mormons are held to a different standard. We are taught to be self sufficient and we have a network of people that can support us, who we in turn support. Governmental aid seems like the cheap way out, since it doesn't require any work on the part of the recipient, while the Bishop's storehouse requires work, but provides similar services. I have issues with young, healthy, able-bodied Mormons having children on purpose and going on welfare on purpose, thus taking aid away from people who genuinely need it and have no other recourse. That seems selfish to me (especially considering the fact that Mormons tend to vote down measures that would increase gov't aid, suggesting that those who were on gov't aid while starting their families eventually moved off of Gov't aid and took a hypocritical stance against it later on- don't take advantage of something that you're later going to bash- that's doubly screwing over people who genuinely need it).
Ezra Taft Benson: "Latter-day Saints should not receive unearned welfare assistance from local or national agencies. This includes food stamps. Priesthood and Relief Society leaders should urge members to accept the Church welfare program and earn through the program that which they need, even though they may receive less food and money. By doing so, members will be spiritually strengthened, and they will maintain their dignity and self-respect. Last year in the United States alone over $98 billion was distributed in unearned government transfer payments and other aid to millions of men and women who most often did nothing for what they received. This character-weakening government dole is repeated in almost every nation of the world. We encourage Latter-day Saints everywhere to remain free of government assistance. Work for what you receive."
This article HERE disagrees with me, but it cites some stats that I find particularly interesting, and a bit frustrating. What is so wrong with waiting two or three years until your mid to late twenties to have children? My mother waited until she was 28 and she and my dad had good insurance and some savings before having five children. It's not like delaying until the end of college and the beginning of a job will prevent you from fulfilling your commandments. I know we're counseled not to delay having children because perfect circumstances will never happen, but surely that doesn't mean "HAVE CHILDREN NOW NO MATTER WHAT." Surely there's nothing sinful about waiting until 24 or 25 when you're not considered to be living below the poverty line to start your family?
This is incredibly judge-y, yes, but I would NEVER tell anyone when or where or how to start their families. I'm just a bit frustrated by the lack of self-reliance and selfish decisions I see amongst my peers. Thoughts?
While it's none of my business and I certainly will never tell anyone what to do within the confines of their marriage (or even just their lives in general), I have to agree with you. I've always been a bit confused by those who chose (accidents happen, no judgement) to have children when they can't afford them. We've been counseled by General Authorities to do all in our power to be self-sufficient and not reliant on the government for aid, and while I understand that it is necessary sometimes, I am still a bit confused at the number of young couples having children they can't afford with the idea that the government will pay for it. A new child is already stressful enough, as is being financially shaky on your own. Putting extreme economic uncertainty (I say extreme, because a general economic uncertainty will always be present for most of the 99%) with a new baby sounds so incredibly stressful.
Admittedly, I struggle a bit to understand why God would prompt parents who can't afford a child, to have one, especially when they will be able to afford one in a year or two upon completion of school or acceptance of a job. God, via the prophets, has asked us to not rely on government aid, and my biggest concern with young, newly married college students having children without a solid financial backing is that they'll turn to governmental assistance, or their child may live the formative years of their life in poverty, lacking many opportunities to grow. Having parents that love you dearly does a lot for children, but it's naive and juvenile to believe that that is enough. I worked very closely with children in poverty for the decade that I lived in Detroit. Many of them had parents that loved them more than my own parents loved me, but the children still suffered because their parents were having children that they simply couldn't afford.
This is turning into more of a rant against governmental assistance for Mormons. Here's the thing, I'm not against governmental assistance in the slightest. Heck, it's hard to be when you grew up in Detroit during the recession and all of your friends needed gov't aid through no fault of their parents, just to survive. But I feel that we as Mormons are held to a different standard. We are taught to be self sufficient and we have a network of people that can support us, who we in turn support. Governmental aid seems like the cheap way out, since it doesn't require any work on the part of the recipient, while the Bishop's storehouse requires work, but provides similar services. I have issues with young, healthy, able-bodied Mormons having children on purpose and going on welfare on purpose, thus taking aid away from people who genuinely need it and have no other recourse. That seems selfish to me (especially considering the fact that Mormons tend to vote down measures that would increase gov't aid, suggesting that those who were on gov't aid while starting their families eventually moved off of Gov't aid and took a hypocritical stance against it later on- don't take advantage of something that you're later going to bash- that's doubly screwing over people who genuinely need it).
Ezra Taft Benson: "Latter-day Saints should not receive unearned welfare assistance from local or national agencies. This includes food stamps. Priesthood and Relief Society leaders should urge members to accept the Church welfare program and earn through the program that which they need, even though they may receive less food and money. By doing so, members will be spiritually strengthened, and they will maintain their dignity and self-respect. Last year in the United States alone over $98 billion was distributed in unearned government transfer payments and other aid to millions of men and women who most often did nothing for what they received. This character-weakening government dole is repeated in almost every nation of the world. We encourage Latter-day Saints everywhere to remain free of government assistance. Work for what you receive."
This article HERE disagrees with me, but it cites some stats that I find particularly interesting, and a bit frustrating. What is so wrong with waiting two or three years until your mid to late twenties to have children? My mother waited until she was 28 and she and my dad had good insurance and some savings before having five children. It's not like delaying until the end of college and the beginning of a job will prevent you from fulfilling your commandments. I know we're counseled not to delay having children because perfect circumstances will never happen, but surely that doesn't mean "HAVE CHILDREN NOW NO MATTER WHAT." Surely there's nothing sinful about waiting until 24 or 25 when you're not considered to be living below the poverty line to start your family?
This is incredibly judge-y, yes, but I would NEVER tell anyone when or where or how to start their families. I'm just a bit frustrated by the lack of self-reliance and selfish decisions I see amongst my peers. Thoughts?