I always thought the answer was pretty simple. The first illegitimate child could be a mistake, but after that it really isn’t, so limit the payments to one child. A second might get a 50% benefit if the mother opts for sterilization. I know this seems harsh, but forcing working people to pay for other people’s children isn’t right. Additional payments from charities could soften things a bit, but the charities would be ineligible for any kind of government participation. Subsidizing poor and irresponsible behavior is just stupid.
You’re absolutely right. This cycle of indigence and crime won’t end until welfare programs stop incentivizing bastard offspring, nor will it end until we start incentivizing sterilizations instead.
Workfare would help. You show up at 8AM for a gov’t job sweeping floors, cleaning toilets, whatever at minimum wage and work until 5PM. The kids are in gov’t licensed day care at a reasonable cost. If you don’t show up for work, you don’t get paid and the transfer payments drop. All benefit recipients are subject to random drug test. I wonder how many would find better paying jobs if they have to work anyway.