There is a direct relationship between the strength of families and the strength of communities. As more families in the inner-city and first-ring suburbs show signs of struggle across a variety of areas, many American communities are also showing signs of strain. Rural communities are increasingly facing issues formerly viewed as urban problems, particularly related to drug abuse and the resultant problems.
Across the country we have seen the numbers of children born to single mothers with no involved father rise. We have seen the divorce rate rise. Chemical abuse by adults and children is on the rise. The reported rates of sexually transmitted diseases continue to increase while younger and younger children are exposed to these damaging illnesses. Homelessness is increasing.
When families struggle, both public and private entities often respond. Non-profits typically adjust their goals to address developing needs. New non-profits also form to fill gaps in services. Local and state governments also respond by passing ordinances. Government agencies often adjust their priorities and policies to reflect these changing needs. At times, when the issues have a national impact, Congress also intervenes and passes legislation and allocates money to address problems.
Despite the innumerable programs developed over the last several decades to improve the lives of people living in poverty, there has been minimal if any improvement in the statistics related to poverty.
Ultimately, we have to begin to have a serious dialogue in our country about how to best help people in poverty develop stability in their lives and in the lives of their children. These are very difficult discussions because any effective solution will undoubtedly lead to emotional exchanges about the need to be sensitive to the needs of adults who continuously make very poor decisions. Tragedies happen and policy should be flexible enough to respond to those extreme situations. Public policy should never reward poor decision-making.
Public policy must put the immediate needs of children ahead of the wants and needs of the adults who often created the problems facing the children. Adults and parents must be accountable in a clear and predictable way. There will be a group of people who cannot be helped. The children of these people need to be placed with people who are willing to make a permanent commitment to these children.
The only way to help families is to ensure that public policy encourage responsible parental behavior and deter irresponsible parental behavior. In other words, public policy should strive to give a hand up, never give a hand out.