My family was upper lower class at best before parents divorced when I was 9. Father abandoned family and Mom raised 5 kids on welfare and food commodities while working full time cooking every night and weekend. As a young child the concept of "welfare" was something that was my endless shame because all my neighborhood friends had mom and dad, nice home, nice clothes, a meal on the table 3 times a day.
Those feelings of shame propelled me on to a 4 yr college degree, my own home, my college educated sons and a happy life. I thank God for his blessings everyday.