Who in the hell would choose poverty i raised 4 boys alone and struggled but made it! 2 were my sisters and their dead beat dad never supported them she paid what she could and the father had 13 kids and never paid for any of them! And never did time for non support either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

justsome1here:
Excellent point. The problem is, you see the “her” dragging the kids around, never the “him”. It’s another area where lack of accountability in our society allows some (irresponsible fathers) to get off scot free, and others (the mothers who have the assorted kids at home) to not only shoulder the child raising responsibility, but also suffer the stigma of a subconscious prejudice. It’s not only a lack of accountability, in some quarters a man is considered a “stud” when he goes around impregnating women. It’s very, very, not “OK”.

Suggestion to the Gazette: What's front page today will disappear tomorrow and your readers never know "the rest of the story". We often see "in-depth" articles like this in the newspaper whether it's poverty in general, homelessness, alcoholism, or any other given topic. What is always missing is a follow-up regarding the people/organizations who are in the articles. I suggest that, 1 year from now, the Gazette do a follow-up on what changes are/are not made in the lives of people in this report on poverty. It's one thing to raise awareness, it's another to follow up reporting both what results: good AND bad, consequences, and achievements!

The site staff is touchy this morning

Northman - If you want to judge people, that is your choice. However, try to judge people equally. You mention judging "her" and all others like "her" but never mention judging the men you fathered those children. How about judging "him/them" and all others like "him/them" for also draining the compassion pool.

“there's really only one cause: out of wedlock births”. Well, kinsohn is a bit off the mark, but he brings up a good point. We, as a society and individually, have a pool of compassion available to spend. This pool, as all pools are, is finite. If most of the people who were living in poverty were down on their luck, through bad health, jobs that have moved, spouses who left or died, etc, we could focus on getting them back on their feet.
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Unfortunately, we’ve evolved to a non-judgmental country, where anything goes and everything is “OK”. I recently came across a woman who had four kids from four different fathers, and had never been married. But that’s OK, we’re not allowed to judge, it’s her lifestyle choice. Sorry, but I do judge, and that is emphatically *not* OK. So you take her, and the many others like her, and they all start draining that compassion pool. And as much as I don’t care for her, and her partners, I do have to care for the kids.
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Until this country regains some sort moral compass, much of this poverty will self-perpetuate. Until it becomes wrong to be an unwed mother – and father – not only will the poverty continue, but our efforts to help the truly needy will be diluted. Out of wedlock births are not the only cause of poverty, but they greatly magnify what could otherwise be a fixable problem.

SarahB, that is good information for every taxpayer to know.Thanks for posting it.

Nearly 50 percent of births that take place in Wisconsin are paid for by Medicaid. Most of these mothers are single women, but the majority of them have live-in boyfriends. Many of the women I have worked with over the years freely admit they stay single in order for the state to cover the prenatal and birthing costs. Many of them admit that they and their significant other probably could pay for the birth but see no reason to spend their money that way. Many put off marriage until after the birth in order to save money. Most work jobs that do not have health care benefits. I don't know why this is happening, but I think it is insane that 50 percent of the births in this state are paid for by Medicaid. I know this has no direct correlation to poverty, but I really wanted to address the issue.

Kinsohn, and Truecitizen, I did follow the rules that you mention, I graduated from high school, got married after getting a degree, then had a child. Then I became a single mom, receiving support I don't know what I would of done with out the support (not always monetial) from my parents and grandparents. They were there to babysit while I worked not in the field I got the degree in because I need the family support , and supply my son with some of the fun extras that a little boy. I told my grandparents many times if it wasn't for them and my parents we would be living in a car. Many people are not lucky to have a family and friend network to help them like I did. Sure people make mistakes, but don't beat them up with their failures. We need to uplift people up with education and then a job. The majority want to work. They want self respect and the respect of others. Education and a good paying job that will let them pay rent, food, health care, clothing is the way out of poverty. Not pointing fingers and sitting in judgement.

Education, Education, Education, I'll say it again, Education, both at home and at school, both for the parents and children. The only way out is to work your way out. It's silly to blame "out of wedlock children". The reasons for poverty are vast.

There are those who try to get out of proverty by going the way of a life of crime (usually the victum is another proverty person who's trying to survive).
There are those who will insure that their children stay in school to get an education that will break them out of proverty. (But, there are students who will make fun of those who can't afford all the nice gadgets that we all need(?)
There are those who work 2 or 3 jobs who ask only that they be given a chance, a chance to enjoy life a little like the rest of the people.
There are those who do nothing and complain that the illegals are taking away their jobs. If the job is available to the illegal, it must be available to you to. Employment is employment and will help pay rent, buy food and put you on the road to self sufficientcy.
There are multitudes of organizations to help the poor or proverty stricken in times of need. These organizations need help to but the people who rely on these groups need to help back and not just take.
It's sad that there is so much proverty in this city let alone all over. But it is also sad that there are those who thrive on proverty by explotation of. It's sad that some of the programs designed to help actually perpetuate the life of proverty so that they can continue to exist.
Proverty will never be completly eliminated but common sense, courtesy and understanding and a helping hand along the road will lighten the load.

Someone mentioned "deadbeat dads"..Yes, there are bad men whose actions tend to disintegrate families .............. but there are also "non-mother moms" whose actions also accomplish the same thing.
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There may be more of one than the other, and I don't know which is more prevalent, but both are equally despicable.
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well put spicymarge!

To say as an absolute truth that the only reason for poverty is out of wedlock births if a fallacy. That is what gets on my nerves, not that out of wedlock births as a precursor to poverty was brought up. Of course out of wedlock births is a huge problem financially for a lot of people. It is definately NOT the only reason for poverty though.

I do not believe anyone disagrees with you that there are those that use and abuse the system. Nobody likes to see it. Those that do not know what it is like to be in that position of "the underworld" and in poverty, don't know how to truly offer supports needed. Some of them may even want to truly get out of that cycle, but no one truly wants to help them.

There are two sides to every story. As most would agree, there needs to be a more aggressive approach to those that use and abuse the system so that those who truly need it do not need to spend years to get the help they needed like yesterday.

To each his own thoughts, but the focus is that there are issues that need to be resolved.

With all that stated, I to am happy the gazette plans to do this story. I think it is a good idea, and hopefully it's somewhat objective.

When people like kinsohn tell the truth it gets on people's nerves. Numbers don't lie...kinsohn is not completely accurate but close to the mark. The majority of people in the country who do not get out of the bottom of the barrell, are in fact, not living life like they should. Yes, I know. Some people are not like that. But what about the many that are like that. Can we please stop making excuses for them?!
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I have first hand view knowledge of many of these people. I am also objeective in my viewing it. I don't just try to look for the bad. kinsohn 's statements are actually more accurate than you know. These people are stuck in a vicious circle that they refuse to get out of. (speaking of those who don't try).
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Think about. No father figure. Only one income. Continuous relationships with additional children coming into the picture. Disorganized households. Learned patterns of behavior being passed down to another generation. Lack of learning (school-you know, stuff kids should be doing), living off of Health Net, Badger care, state assisted food, etc etc; then staying home with these kids. All while living like trash, Jerry Springer on the TV, several different lovers, drugs, and a refusal to get driving priviledges and rent, bills, credit etc etc. fixed and dealt with correctly. Basically living unresponsibly.
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As kinsohn put it "Follow the rules". Why do you hate people who mention these things? I think you are worse to these (above mentioned types) because you are the ones who turn a blind eye to them. I at least would like to see the pattern change. I believe in looking into the causes. I actually care and thats why I am not afraid to say it!
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For those who do follow the rules, and are still in poverty: God bless you and keep pushing forward!

Oh, one more thing:

Thank you, Scott, for bringing this to the attention of a city that, generally, believes that poverty has not, does not and will not affect them!

Every municipality has poverty. The poverty in Janesville may not be that of Rockford, Chicago, New York, etc., but we definitely have our share of poverty.

Again, thank you, Scott!

Thank you to the team of Gazette staff who have worked soo hard on this series. It is not an easy assignment to educate the community of something they may not care to have uncovered!

ynot5462: You rock! I love you for being able to provide for your child when you felt, more times than not, that you were looking up at the bottom of the barrel.

It is arrogant, uneducated people, like kisohn, that are not educated on the realities of poverty. We don't know the circumstances of wedlock births, so who are we to judge those that have children in that type of relationship?

It is our responsibility as fellow mankind to offer, and give, help when people cry out for help!

Yes, there are many that abuse the system and wish to remain in that "poor me" setting, how unfortunate! But there are so many more, like yourself ynot, that need and truly want the help of others to make an honest living and provide so much more for their children, OUR FUTURE GENERATION THAT WILL SUPPORT US!

I used to despise people that were so degrading of those that lived in poverty. Then I realized I was not doing anything but hating them. Now, as I choose to live amongst fellow mankind in need, I find that those that live in poverty, not by choice, tend to be the hardest working, more honest type of person out there.

I choose to live amongst fellow man in need because I have been in debt beyond belief. There was no way out, I was working two jobs to my ex-husband's one and he spent and spent and spent. It is a vicious circle! Now that I live within my means, I feel more at ease and in a better position to help those that want the help and need the help.

To those that do not understand poverty in America: go live in the worst of worst neighborhoods for at least a week. If that is not feasible to you, utilize your time and finances to go spend a month in a 2nd or 3rd world nation. That will put your views in perspective: XBox, Wii, email, your Mercedes/Cadillac/gas-guzzlers-- that material stuff is not truly important. THERE ARE PEOPLE DYING BECAUSE THERE IS NO FOOD AVAILABLE TO FEED THEM!

I ask that those who degrade the poor to educate yourself about what it is truly like to be poor. There are numerous organizations out there in America and across the world that are truly trying to help those in need (for example, go to www.fullercenter.org).

spicymarge: AMEN!! A friend just returned from a visit to South Africa. I do not take away from those suffering the poverty issues when they are trying hard to overcome them. On the other hand, our poverty is only relative. Many of the 2nd and 3rd world countries have such an extreme poverty that our fellow Americans who live in poverty are still considered millionnaires within the circles of world poverty. Such a shame that we cannot convince more rich people to help those of us in poverty succeed in providing for families. We need more Robin Hoods!

i look forward to reading the series, I heard Stacy and Matt on Stan's show on. Have you noticed how many payday and title loans stores their are in Rock County? look at all the issues they have no control over high fuel costs, food price increases, higher energy costs. everyone is and will be affected in someway or another.

kinsohn Wow blame all of our economic woes on children born out of wedlock. I was a single mom that raised a son alone because his father who I was in deed married too, became a dead beat dad. I worked hard making alot less than the men who were doing the same work. I was making 5.00 more than the moms who were getting welfare checks back then which I was cashing at the bank. How about equal pay for equal work. How about there is no opportunities to make a good wage even after one gets a college degree. How about higher education that doesn't put the student or their parents deeper in debt. There are many reasons why people are facing hard times. People that are now living in poverty have jobs, did you read the article about more middle class people are shopping at Goodwill,
and many of them are families that have a mom and dad. Get off your soap box and stop judging people until you yourself walked in their shoes.

There really is no other cause, you're right kinsohn. No divorces with deadbeat dads, no deaths, no dibilitating accidents or disease making it impossible for someone to work, no horrible economy with job losses for all.
Spicymarge-you are so right. I'm 'poor' but how can I complain. I have a home, transportation, clothes. In some of these countries home could be a hut, if that. Food is literally not to be found. If it came down to it I could find a homeless shelter or a food pantry.
Times are hard but if we, here, look at the big picture it would be hard not to realize how lucky we actually are.

I hope they focus on the cause, and there's really only one cause: out of wedlock births. There is no greater predictor of poverty.

All you have to do to stay out of poverty is graduate high school and wait until you're married to have kids. The rules haven't changed, it's just that fewer people follow the rules today. Hope that comes out in the series.

I hope the article will recognize poverty in America is better than life in general for most people on the planet.

Finnaly! A STORY ABOUT GAZETTE EMPLOYES.

When a person struggles and does everything they are supposed to do, and makes hard sacrificing decisions, and is till in poverty; They are truly deserving the notice of others, and deserve a way out.

To Scott Angus and the readers. Please consider all the causes of poverty and related issues. Many people victimize themselves. I know life isn't always fair, but there are those who put themselves there, by living outside of the boundaries. (i.e.:substance abuse, misguided financial decisions, work ethic and life-behavior, etc etc.)
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Also try and include discussions about options for people in poverty. And I mean real options that one can use to fix their life, and be self reliant (if applicable). Because I would also like to see things improve for all of these people.

Terrific. I'll look for this.

I was astonished a while back when I read an article that mentioned the percentage of Janesville residents at poverty level in Janesville was 12.7% in 2006. That number is only likely to increase due to the recent job losses in our area. Of course those at poverty levels don’t look at themselves at percentages, but using hard numbers can help those more fortunate become more aware of the problem. It is easy to forget with our busy lives or careers that there are many struggling just to make it through each day. The people of this city should realize that many of us are simply one job loss or one major medical problem away from poverty. Consequently, helping find solutions to the problem will not only help those who face this problem daily, but will also help others better prepare for life changing events in the future. I commend the Gazette for bringing light to a situation that affects our city and helping to start a dialogue on ways to combat this increasing problem.

Thanks for letting us readers know about the series in advance. I know that I will be sure to look for it.

Thank you for including it in your online edition.

Thank you for raising awareness of this issue.