# Why would a single mother need more thant $20.00 in her wallet? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 9, 2003, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590 "2003-06-09T04:17:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/161 "2003-06-11T15:40:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\*I bet **sghoul** had to walk two miles uphill every day on the way to school, too. In the snow. Both ways. \*\* And he had to fight mountain lions, bears and savage Indians all the way, too. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/162 "2003-06-11T16:18:01Z")
**Kelly, MtGm** and once again, I’m not disputing your individual specific experiences. I’m talking about the _vast majority_ of those I worked w/. I had a couple of student couples, and modifications were made. and, **Kelly** - I’ve interviewed tons of folks, many of whom believed they were really good at interviewing (I even interviewed 3 different guys who worked at employment agencies, whose job it was to interview prospective employees, and teach skills at it - and all three of them sucked big time at interviewing. All three made fatal, idiotic errors in the interview.). not everyone is able to self identify their skill level at interviewing. And I’ve yet to see a program where one spends more than one/two at the outside sessions on learning interviewing skills. So I doubt that ('having to spend time in that class, vs. job seeking) that’s a significant factor in why some one didn’t get a job. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/163 "2003-06-11T16:54:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wring \* > \*\*All three made fatal, idiotic errors in the interview \*\* Eek! Like what? They drank the poisoned coffee that was offered? Or something? “You expect me to work in a place like this?” “No, I expect you to die, buwahaha!” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/164 "2003-06-11T17:03:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Great Unwashed \* > **Eek! Like what? They drank the poisoned coffee that was offered? Or something?** I’ll hazard some guesses: Asked about salary or some other “Why should I work for you?” question. Inappropriate amount of eye contact. Failed to smile. Am I close? ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/165 "2003-06-11T17:31:41Z")
Oh I know that **wring**. And I’m not trying to use my specific instance to prove anything. Just throwing it out for mental munchies. I generally think encouraging welfare recipients to work and getting them some of the skills they will need(interview skills, etc) are very good things. I would like there to be a little more flexibility to allow the welfare recipient to choose what is best for their individual situation though. In our case working 30+ hours a week to draw cash benefits simply wasn’t possible if we wanted to pursue our degrees. We effectively already had full-time jobs(as full-time students) but that wasn’t considered “work”(at least under the implementation we were working under). I also realize this opens up even more avenues for abuse of the system and I just don’t have a solution for how to make it more flexible and less abusable at the same time. I think a lot of the problems are logistical, not inherent. Scheduling these classes to benefit the most people and work with the often-extremely demanding schedules of people who are running full tilt just to keep their heads above water isn’t exactly easy. The situations **Kelly** related about using after-the-fact notices and seemingly malicious actions on the part of social workers sound like abuse to me. I’d be interested in curtailing it if it is a frequent occurance, but overall I think the work programs do good things and have many laudable goals. And I agree that one person’s “useless class” is another’s desperately needed class, even if they may not recognize these facts. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/166 "2003-06-11T17:41:30Z")
From the other side of the table, I had a client who decided that what was “right” for him was a pursuit in the Ministry (fine, no problem), what he decided that we should do was purchase a building for him so he could start his own church (didn’t happen). Just as another example. yes, there can be abusive workers, and I’ve also seen folks show up for a required orientation (for which they had a weeks notice or more) 1/2 hour late and get damn near violent when they were told they couldn’t be accomodated. Both sides of the street and so on. re: the bad interviewees: Being careful to not give enough info so they would recognize themselves: 2 failed the question “what types of jobs would you think about for clients with (this set of characteristics)” One answered “I have no idea” (clue #1 this is a major function of the job you’re applying for) the other answered in such a way as displaying a belief in a negative stereotype of the clients involved (clue #2, when you’re applying for a job working with a specific population, it’s helpful to not indicte that you hold negative opinions of them) the other managed to display evidence of racial prejudices. I won’t elaborate more on that one. one bad answer to the question about ‘why do you want this job’ that I got was (from a guy who’d worked professionally for 15 years, had at least a bachelor’s degree) : “Because it has insurance, and I have 5 kids.”. at least two of the three I first described called asking me why they weren’t hired. “some one else more closely fit the qualifications we were looking for” ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/167 "2003-06-11T19:17:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > [BThis is all about punishing the poor for being poor. As if being poor wasn’t punishment enough. \*\* Depends on your point of view. I see the welfare system financially punishing self-supportive people to subsidize the less industrious. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/168 "2003-06-11T19:20:25Z")
Less industrious? Ever heard of getting laid off? Pretty broad brush you’ve got there. Probably should clean it off in the tub. ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/169 "2003-06-11T19:37:54Z")
**Balle\_M** : I worked just as hard, if not harder, when I was making $8,000 a year as I do now making quite a bit more than that. Income has nothing to do with industriousness. I’m sick and tired of fucking assholes who insist that if you’re poor, it’s because you’re stupid, lazy, shiftless, careless, or immoral. Which is what you just did, **Balle\_M**. Asshole. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/170 "2003-06-11T20:31:30Z")
**KellyM** - karma. It’s all about karma. I have no doubt, whatsoever, that every person that feels superior to someone based on their income is going to come down with an unfortunate, hard to treat rash that is really, really itchy. Everything works out in the end. ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/171 "2003-06-11T20:33:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\ ***Balle\_M** : I worked just as hard, if not harder, when I was making $8,000 a year as I do now making quite a bit more than that. Income has nothing to do with industriousness. > > I’m sick and tired of fucking assholes who insist that if you’re poor, it’s because you’re stupid, lazy, shiftless, careless, or immoral. Which is what you just did, **Balle\_M**. Asshole. \*\* KellyM, If you need a part time job, you can lick my balls. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your benefits, of course. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/172 "2003-06-11T20:34:47Z")
Hows that rash coming there **Balle**? I’m sure you know I’ll be keeping my calamine lotion to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/173 "2003-06-11T20:35:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*Less industrious? Ever heard of getting laid off? > > Pretty broad brush you’ve got there. Probably should clean it off in the tub. \*\* Yes, I’ve heard of it. Been laid off twice. Got another job. What’s your point? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/174 "2003-06-11T20:37:08Z")
Oh well, just get another job! That’s all right then! Are you really that fucking stupid? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/175 "2003-06-11T20:41:21Z")
_pssssst_ **Guin** - I think he is… ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/176 "2003-06-11T20:41:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\*Oh well, just get another job! That’s all right then! > > Are you really that fucking stupid? \*\* Let’s see…am I stupid because I found employment after I was laid off or am I stupid because I didn’t leech off the system for a while first? ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/177 "2003-06-11T20:53:48Z")
It’s pretty stupid, in my opinion, to refuse to accept unemployment compensation after being laid off when you were paying for it out of each paycheck when you were working. Of course, some people just do stupid things. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/178 "2003-06-11T21:04:01Z")
Not everyone can find a job right away-my father was one of them. He collected unemployment. I suppose my father was “leech”. ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/179 "2003-06-11T21:10:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KellyM \* > \*\*It’s pretty stupid, in my opinion, to refuse to accept unemployment compensation after being laid off when you were paying for it out of each paycheck when you were working. > > Of course, some people just do stupid things. \*\* Just so I understand… 1. I was laid off. 2. I found employment right away…that was stupid. 3. The smart thing to do would have been sit on my ass a few weeks until the bennies started to run out, then look for a job. ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590/180 "2003-06-11T21:14:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\*Not everyone can find a job right away-my father was one of them. > > He collected unemployment. I suppose my father was “leech”. \*\* No, not at all. As I said in my post, I was fortunate enough to find another employer right away. In that situation, if I had not taken the job and instead decided to get unemployment, then I would have been a leech. Sounds like your dad used the system as it was designed…to tide him over until he found employment. No leechery there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-single-mother-need-more-thant-20-00-in-her-wallet/180590.md?page=10)