I have firmly believed for years that the deal should be "No new kids while on Welfare." I exclude food stamps, because I know from my childhood that a two parent family can be working their respective asses off and still not be able to both buy food and pay rent. Yes, of course, they should not be getting knocked up while broke, but that is not the same thing as actively birthing children in order to make cash. Food stamps are only good for food.

However, if a person is getting a monthly check from the government, it should come with an agreement not to get pregnant. I would say "use of birth control" but I realize some people are religious and won't. However, come in to get your check with that uterus full = no check.

It seems unfair to put the onus entirely on women (the fathers often collect the welfare checks also) to avoid getting pregnant, but the way our legal system works, it is in fact up to her. In exchange for the power to remove an implanted egg, women have the responsibility to choose when an egg gets the opportunity to implant. Birth control has been around for a while now, and everyone knows that if you keep your pants on, you won't get preggers.

Sterilization is too fascist for my tastes. Something mild and reversible, like an IUD, Depo-Provera or NuvaRing, which would be free when a woman signed the DSHS paperwork to apply for Welfare, would respect the dignity of the women. They could of course opt not to use birth control, but then it would be up to them to make sure they didn't get knocked up.

I must note that my feelings on this matter are not popular AT ALL with my family!

Freki