Survey -- questions for single mom's?

hi all -- I'm a high school student (17/f/half japanese) in north cali, I'm taking some classes this summer at the junior college before my senior year in high school. I have an assignment about welfare for one class and wanted to ask some single moms. My daddy says that 98% of single moms are on welfare at one point or another, so here goes:





1) When you were on welfare, what did you think of people like me that drive shiny new cars? (I drive an Acura if that helps.)





2) Where there any things you did while on welfare that you swear you will never do again? Did you do anything that in retrospect surprised yourself?





3) Did you get more pregnant while on welfare?





4) If you ever got off welfare, was it because you were kicked off?





Thanks so much single mom's, have a great summer (I'm heading to the beach) ;)

Survey -- questions for single mom's?
your dad knows NOTHING


neither do you obviously


i am a single mom, and know SEVERAL


NONE on welfare! i work as a Nurse and drive a new Mustand and Charger... sorry daddy cant afford that for You


get a clue spoiled child!
Reply:Yeah I got kicked off of welfare and that was okay. I graduated up in the world to stealing cars and ID's from people like you.
Reply:I've never been on welfare, the only assistance I've had is $46/mo foodstamps for the first 10 months of my child's life and medicaid to help pay for his first year check-ups.





1) I don't really care. It's their money, if they want to blow it on a car (and probably make monthly payments), that's perfectly fine with me. I'm just grateful that I had a reliable vehicle that I paid for up front before I got pregnant.





2) No. Again, I only had foodstamps and medicaid, and with the foodstamps, I spent them only on healthy/staples kind of food. I was surprised at how resourceful I could be, and that I really can learn to cook if I'm sort of forced to. :)





3) No.





4) I got off foodstamps when the certified 'term' "ended". All that means is I just have to update them on my income, address, etc to get re-certified, but I chose not to because by then, I didn't feel like I needed it, I was given more hours at work, and $46/mo wasn't worth the hassle.
Reply:I am a single mother and have never been on welfare and my son will be 18 this year. I don't think those statistics are accurate. I know a lot of single mothers who have made it without welfare. I am sure it does help some women get back on their feet.
Reply:Quite interesting from someone who has never been there!!





1)I was on the medical card and foodstamps while going back to school to earn my bachelor degree. I wanted to better myself for my kids but was unable to work full time and go to school full time for the benefits.


It sounds as if you don't pay for your shiny new car, so can't think much of you.





2) nope, when you are a single mom you do what you have to to support your kids.





3) nope, still have the same two kids I started out with and do not intend to have any more.





4) nope, it's pretty irresponsible to be kicked off. You always have to think of your kids first.





Good luck with your survey :-)
Reply:1) No it didn't bother me.


2)Go to bed hungry so my children wouldn't. I now make sure there is enough for all. No i didn't do anything surprising.


3) No


4)No i got off because he finally started paying child support.


I would have never had to be on if he paid before.
Reply:1)I have not been on welfare as a single mom but was in my marriage, I will be honest I was envious of those that had more than us. We worked our butts off and still had nothing.





2) I never want mac and cheese again lol! Actually bad food it cheaper and I had no money for a gym membership so I gained alot of weight (stress had alot to do with it too). Once I was able to afford healthy foods again I lost over 100 pounds and swore I would never be heavy again.





3) I was pg when I went on welfare.





4) No, I couldn't wait to get off welfare, it made me feel very lowly.
Reply:I was a single mom (son grown now) and did not get assistance, instead, I worked an extra job when needed. At times I felt frustrated as I felt like I would never get ahead, but now I look back and realize that I taught my son some important things about life. Like taking your responsibilities seriously and not expecting anything for free if you can work and get it on your own.





I did not have any more children because I knew I couldn't afford it and that is my number one issue with welfare moms - why do they keep getting pregnant (with birth control so readily available) knowing they can't provide and justifying it by telling themselves they will get more welfare money - it's the tax payers that are paying for these kids and quite frankly - they still aren't living the best life as poverty will always be what they know as they see their mom (or dad) doing nothing to better themselves or being absent. The cycle then continues. I say, after 2 kids, no additional money should be given to these irresponsible women.