Why is it common among poor people that they expect their children take care of

1. 79

   Express10posted 9 years ago

   Why is it common among poor people that they expect their children take care of them financially?
   
   Some of those living check to check, those receiving some form of government assistance, addicts, spendthrifts, etc. expect their children take care of them financially, even when the parents provide no resources, support, or tools to help the child become an affluent adult. Do they not understand how harmful this mindset is when what's best for their child(ren) should be most important? Do they truly not know this expectation and even indoctrination in some cases, can severely limit their children's potential (educational/financial/etc.) in life & can contribute to generational poverty?
   
   

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2. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   Affluent parents CARE about their children's welfare & will sacrifice to ensure that their children have a fortuitous future. Poor parents see their children as socioeconomic assets for THEIR benefit. read more

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      Express10posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      There are many people in generational poverty for example. If you look at these groups you will find a subset who teach their children that children must take care of their parents even when they did not teach their own to take care of themselves.

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   2. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for selecting my answer.

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      Express10posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You are most welcome.

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3. 76

   MarieLBposted 9 years ago

   I have to say it the way I see it.  I think you have a particular family or perhaps two in mind.
   
   I think very few people, if any would have met such a situation these days.
   
   I am also at a loss to understand your statement that any parent's role should be to ensure that their children are rich, and even more, that they "had not provided resources, support or tools to help the child"- So who brought up those children, who fed them and nourished them enough to grow up and go for becoming rich?  They could hardly do that if these children were sick and malnourished, and had no resources to be ambitious.
   
   What I could surmise from your scenario is that the family/families have neglected their children in one regard.  They never thought them to be selfless and to love and cherish their parents, poor as they were.

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      dianetrotterposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have to agree with you.  I know of parents who have sacrificed to give their children college educations.  I took care of my mother who had Alzheimers because I loved her and took her out of a nursing home and brought her from AR to California.

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      Express10posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I was as clear stating that "Some of those..." Resources and tools are wide & varied, far more than keeping a roof over one's head & food on a table. It seems this reality is lost on many & they create life without thought or planning.

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      dianetrotterposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I took common to mean a high percentage.  I hope it is not that common.  I wish people would teach their kids to have high goals and try hard to succeed.

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Many parents in the lower socioeconomic echelons have children just to be having them.  They don't practice family planning.  It's common for some to have MORE children than they can properly care for, hence the problem......

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4. 81

   tamarawilhiteposted 9 years ago

   This is the traditional answer, instead of nursing homes and paid aides.

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      Express10posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This answer is what I thought happened in 3rd world countries & not here in modern America. I am being awakened from my ignorance. Am I in the minority in the thinking that the parents should be self sufficient prior to having children?

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5. 60

   dianetrotterposted 9 years ago

   Wow!  This is the state of the situation?  I didn't know.

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      Express10posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I must make it clear that I do not think that all of poor feel this way, I did say some. However, I've noticed a surprising number do. I find it sad and tragic because this thinking put into action is a burden on children & has negative effects.

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This mindset & attitude ARE common among parents in the lower, working, & lower middle classes.  They expect their children to give money to them & to look after them when they got old.  They view children FAR DIFFERENTLY than affluent pa

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      MarieLBposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I find that some equate being poor with being ignorant and less-than-good.  Being "affluent" as being superior not only in income but in intelligence and good character.  What a sad view of the world.  It is not even true.

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   4. 79

      Express10posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      MarieLB I made it clear that some poor parents expect their kids to take care, despite them not leading by good example. I have even had a couple of US born complete strangers strike up this subject & support this idea. I ask why it it common?

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