For this assignment I talked to some of the parents who are in the parenting support group I help with at my internship. Several of them use the food and clothes pantry we have at work in order to feed their children and supply them with new clothing as they grow. One of them has recently experienced homelessness. With talking to her I've learned that a lot of it had to do with her relationship ending as she had not been employed at the time of the break up. And given the current economy she has struggled with finding a job, she also mentioned that she thinks the fact she only has a GED also stops her from getting hired. Her and her daughter are currently living in a homeless shelter and while she says the people there are very nice she also feels like it is overcrowded. Other parents are currently utilizing our food cabinet every week and one of these parents also volunteers a large amount of her time at the elementary school. It really amazes me that even though she has so much to worry about with regards to herself she still finds the time to volunteer. It really hit home for me just how bad things in the economy are, I've seen people struggle but not to the extent that these families are.
The fact that these individuals struggle to find employment but yet try to give their kids everything really highlighted the issue of class and the haves/have nots that we talked about the other week. They want their kids to feel like they belong in the haves and fit in with their peers yet at the same time they are aware of their status as have nots. I've always taken for granted that fact that I've been able to have things and find summer jobs as an undergrad and this semester at my internship has really taught me not to take those things for granted anymore.
I found the part about the elementary school volunteer very inspiring. We often don't think to serve others while we are struggling. We just think about ourselves and try to satisfy our needs. It is beautiful that someone in need would actually be working to help other people. If that selflessness was a quality in more people, this world would be a very different place.
ReplyDeleteBless this woman's heart for taking the time out to volunteer and give back. I think that when someone is the recipient of social services, it makes one all the more willing to try to give back. One good turn deserves another.
ReplyDeleteThese days it seems like having a post-high school education is of more and more importance. After reading your post I felt bad for this family and many other women and children who find themselves in similar situations.
One thing that I'd like to see change in our society is teaching women the importance of having an education over raising children. I'm not saying to not have children...but if you do, be responsible about it. Plan for the contingency that if something were to ever happen to the "breadwinner" (ie: death, divorce, abandonment, domestic vioence, etc..) women have the skills to carry on and support themselves. Sometimes I wish that schools would teach the importance of "choosing a mate" in addition to educating people about family planning.