11:51 a.m. - 2006-11-01
duct tape can get you into trouble
So, there is this story in the news this week about a woman who was charged with child abuse for duct taping her children together to keep them "safe" while she went to work. Ok, obviously, this is not safe or smart. But the underlying issue is that low income families with children often times don't have any good child care options. I know someone currently who is involved in a difficult relationship with someone who abuses drugs. This person has finally come around to realize that she is something of an enabler. She wants to go to a meeting of a support group once a week to learn about how to not be an enabler, and how to get through this situation. The problem: she has children and no one to watch them. She basically can't go to this meeting. We are working to try and find some good options for her but it's nearly impossible. If low-income mothers don't have able and willing family/friends around, they basically can't leave the house without the kids. Can you imagine that?
I'm not saying that anyone should be duct taping their children so they can go to work, but what ARE they supposed to do? THAT should be the newsworthy item in these articles.
