Summary Of Too Poor To Parent

In “Too Poor to Parent” Gaylynn Burroughs sheds light on what it is like to parent children while living in poverty. He gives examples of multiple women who despite their best effort are caught in an endless cycle spurred on by the system. As system that is supposed to protect them. Each of these women have in common that due to their low income they are being seen as unfit. In the first reading the author brings forth an interesting idea that as a nation we are controlled by policies of the state and the government and they are in control of things that take place in our lives. Unfortunately for these women the states cut and dry policies don’t take in to account effort. For Monique she was trying to get her ailing son the medical care

And we will continue to label these women “bad mothers” to assuage our own guilt. (p 619)
This statement immediately brings these questions to mind. Is poverty a feminist issue, social issue, or an individual issue, or all of the above? What can be done to address this issues of widespread poverty in our country? These are the first questions that come to mind and the answer is one I do not know. However, I do believe that it will take a few passionate individuals to make a change in public policy in order for issue of poverty to ever change.
“Until the disparity in funding and services is addressed, and until this country comes to terms with its culpability in allowing widespread poverty to exist, poor black mothers will continue to lose their children to the state. And we will continue to label these women “bad mothers” to assuage our own guilt.” This text is taken from the reading “Too Poor to Parent?” by Gaylynn Burroughs. Do you agree with his statement? Is poverty a feminist issue, social issue, or an individual issue, or all of the above? What can be done to address this issues of widespread poverty in our