How does giving handouts help the poor?

Answer 1

It doesn't give them any incentives to make something of them selves

Answer 2

Faoi gave the best answer in my opinion. I've been on the racks too. I've slept under the stars and on top of concrete, wondering if maybe tomorrow would be my lucky day to get something hot to eat. You people who haven't been there, who don't know the thoughts and feelings that go through a person when they are on the bottom. You try to use terms that encompass everyone and everything into a neat little package of "lazy people". You have no idea the complexities and effort are required to even be considered for food-stamps. And if you need straight money? Christ, you're better off eating your own legs. Democracy doesn't apply to those who can't afford it. Its all communism in the depths of poverty. I was fortunate enough to have a relative you ran a business and had an opening. It was hard labor, but a minimum wage paycheck is pure luxury when you've been on the skids. Now I have a wife and 2 young boys. I will be sure they are taught how to find employment in this godforsaken country before all else.

Answer 3

Not the way they it has been given. Poor people need a lot more than money. Not that it dosent help.

A couple christmas's ago, I had to go to the salvation army so that I could eat. I was 6 months pregnant and showing, and no-one would hire me. My husband had been in an accident and was injured.

What I really needed was a job. People need help with the basics, when kids grow up on the street they dont learn how to look for a job through the classifieds, go grocery shopping, go on a job interview, look for an apartment, simple things like that. I once went to burger king in a bad neighborhood on hiring day, they had an entire ream of paper for apps. They had to shut down the restaurant to conduct interviews. Im not exaggerating. We need people to stop being afraid and let us into their social networks. We want to be allowed into the good ole boys club, into the corporations we dont "fit into" and at least have a chance. Real programs for education.

I hear all this yaking about taking responsibility for ones self. But there are a lot of people, mostly homeless and poor adolescents, who have noooo idea how. Theres a whoooole generation of crack babies. They raised themselves and were fed by drug dealers. They only know the world they live in, which these loud mouths dont know about because they are afraid to go into these neighborhoods. If you want to help the poor, help someone get their drivers liscence, help someone study for the GED, show someone how to apply for college, how to cook, help someone look for a job. There are too few people doing these things. What good is money when you dont know what to do with it.

Answer 4

It's not clear from the question what kind of handouts you're referring to, but it seems like you're talking about Section 8 housing, AFDC cash assistance, food stamps, etc. These are short-term solutions for acute situations in which someone is undergoing a crisis situation and needs food and shelter for him- or herself and dependent children. As short-term aid, they're necessary and helpful.

When these programs become long-term aid, they encourage inter-generational poverty and discourage wise decision-making. To that extent, we do a great disservice to the poor by giving "handouts," because at that point we've stopped helping them develop their potential and have essentially given up on them as productive members of society.

Answer 5

i dare you to walk into the welfare office and get a hand out, it's so easy, everyone abuses it, why not you? Is it cause you're so noble and self righteous that you won't take thier money out of honesty.

They won't give you money, they'll take one look at you and send you to the unemployment line for a job. Unless your retarded, in a wheelchair or have children they're not giving you anything, even the mentally handicapped are put in the work program and given service jobs like cleaning public toilets.

Even single women are made to work in a counterproductive way, For every young girl they send out to do maid work for the upperclass, they have to pay for her childs daycare, which in the overall scheme is a waste of funds and money, society would be better off if she personally took care of her child and it would cost less in the end. But people like you say it's not 'fair' So you make them double thier tracvks and do the work twice. Which is not helpful for anyone and costs the tax payer more.

Answer 6

Many poor families have minor children and often there is not enough money for food, clothing and shelter. I believe it is the government's responsibility to help the least of us, especially children. I don't see this as a "handout".

Answer 7

Only temporarily at best, and rarely that is enough. Asian wisdom has said, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for one night. Teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
Since there seems to be more funds for the administrators of these programs than there are for the poor, fishing lessons aren't provided because they aren't money generators for those in power.

Answer 8

Most Americans don't realize there are very successful programs that give a hand up, not a hand out, to the less fortunate among us. For example, check out Job Corp.

Answer 9

Allows them decent housing to get a foothold
Allows them to feed thier children
Allows them the opportunity to seeek counseling for various problems
Allows them a small dignity in not having to beg to eat
Allows them the minimul support to try and proceed to better themselves through job training or continued education

Answer 10

for some it gives them a chance. it has to be limited, it should not become a way of life. for some a small favor or break is all they need. for others a good kick in the butt is what they need. the problem is knowing who really needs help.

Answer 11

I never give handouts.

I investigate any charity before donating.

The Knights of Columbus helps the developmentally disabled, they are a good one.