> but the assumption that everyone may have stable, reliable families to depend on does not hold in the modern world
How convenient then that this assumption just so happens to hold quite well even in the longer run for those you would think of as "privileged", while others will just have to do without. Sorry, I don't buy it. Uptake of sensible, middle-class values should not be construed as some privilege that will always be inherently out of reach for others. I am indeed sorry if you felt that I was name-calling in my previous comment; but it seems clear to me that attitudes like yours are doing these folks a pretty big disservice.
Should we commit resources to help "present and coming" generations? Of course - various sorts of criminal justice reform can be a big help here, for example. But that's a wholly separate argument than whether forming families is only for the 'privileged'.
a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.
[..]
Creating and raising stable families is not a zero sum game. I don’t think it should be categorized as ‘privilege’. It makes light of the sacrifices and hard work of families and parents who deliberately steer the fate of their offsprings.
Every American by default is more privileged because of accident of birth vs immigrants who move to the United States. And yet, immigrants have consistently braved the odds to become successful and grant it to their offsprings, kin and extended families. It is dedication and hard work. Not luck or privilege.
How convenient then that this assumption just so happens to hold quite well even in the longer run for those you would think of as "privileged", while others will just have to do without. Sorry, I don't buy it. Uptake of sensible, middle-class values should not be construed as some privilege that will always be inherently out of reach for others. I am indeed sorry if you felt that I was name-calling in my previous comment; but it seems clear to me that attitudes like yours are doing these folks a pretty big disservice.
Should we commit resources to help "present and coming" generations? Of course - various sorts of criminal justice reform can be a big help here, for example. But that's a wholly separate argument than whether forming families is only for the 'privileged'.