[SoftballMominVA]

Now consider that in this family, both parents would have to work 40 hours per week at the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour just to clear slightly more than $18,850. If one parent worked 40 hours at the minimum wage and the other worked 20 hours at the minimum wage while caring for the children the rest of the time, the household would earn less than the poverty line.

Okay, I'll probably get flamed for this, but what the hey....

Back when softballmom and dad were poor--really poor, we NEVER worked 40 hours a week. Ever. We worked more like 60-80 a week, in addition to going to school part time. We had one ratty, beat down car that ran about half the time. We had an apartment near the bus and subway lines. We didn't have cable or credit cards; we saved our pennies with coupons whenever possible. It was hard, very, very hard, but we worked.

Now granted, we knew that this situation was somewhat temporary knowing that once we were both out of school, we could secure better jobs. But, how is that so terribly difficult for anyone? There are loans and grants out there for the asking. Once you have worked your 40 hours a week, what else is there to do?

But for heaven's sakes, at least try to put off having children until things are stable. I'll grant that it was somewhat easier for us without children who needed care, but we made that choice and it worked for us.

[Atlas Sneezed]

But for heaven's sakes, at least try to put off having children until things are stable.

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Amen.

Anyone who isn't capable of earning more than the minimum wage by age 30 is of doubtful responsibility to raise children. (Not that I would stop them, but I CERTAINLY wouldn't subsidize their breeding program.)