If We Do Not Stop to Help

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Last week's pre-Mother's Day column about an unmarried D.C. mom who is on welfare and has six children by four men provoked strong condemnation of the mother and criticism of this writer for printing her story without passing judgment on her behavior. As is so often the case, the reactions tell us as much about ourselves as they do about the mother.

The purpose of the column was not to judge or draw sympathy to the 38-year-old woman, who was identified only as C.C., but rather to use Mother's Day to focus attention on unmarried, welfare-dependent mothers of children with absent fathers and the impact of that widespread condition on our social fabric.

That point was lost on most readers. They set their sights on C.C. -- and simply hated what they saw.

Government "has done too much for her over the years by making her believe that she has a right to be so inconsiderate that she can bring children into the world without the means or training to support them." -- F.M.

"What in the world was she thinking???? Why are my tax dollars, via welfare and food stamps, paying for this lifestyle?" -- A.C.

"Why did she have more children than she could support? Are we supposed to join her in the bedroom and put condoms on her partners?" -- L.D.

"I have nothing but contempt for C.C. [She] is guilty of child neglect, because she has far more children than she can afford. [She] is also guilty of being a parasite on society. C.C. should be sterilized. And that goes for all the C.C.'s out there, as well as the men/boys who knock them up." -- M.G.

"Is your stupid piece supposed to tug at my heartstrings and make me . . . want to give up more of my money in the form of higher taxes to some welfare queen who never stopped to think about the consequences of having 6 kids from 4 different fathers? . . . The kids should be taken from her and raised by the state and she should get fixed and get a job." -- R.G.

"The social fabric in D.C. unraveled a long time ago." -- T.M.

Vitriolic reader comments have been rolling in all week. But they are not the last word.

Others have responded with deeds.

On Mother's Day a team of African American professionals (who are supporters of a well-known city leader) showed up at C.C.'s home and offered to help her find housing. She was also given a job, which began this week, and child care so she can go to work. Her oldest daughter has been given much-needed eyeglasses. Arrangements are being made to provide dental care, tutoring and mentoring for the children.