16x9 | Generation Poor

25 years ago, the Canadian government vowed to eradicate child poverty by the year 2000, but today not much has changed. 16x9’s Carolyn Jarvis talks to the most vulnerable kids about what it’s like to go hungry in a land of plenty. For more info, please go to www.global16x9.com.

[@Only-interested-in-the-truth]

I just made my daughter watch this. Just a gentle reality check. Because I wont buy you an $800 Canada Goose Jacket does not mean you are poor. It means I have common sense. Very sobering reminder.

[@nnyv0040]

Good idea. Should also show her how these jacket are made. 😭

[@JenniferJane78]

Goose Jackets are for the people whose estates are worth less than the people in this documentaries, with the exception of the government and university employees who work in the artic and Antarctica.

[@mosesnjuguna]

Am greatful for the roof over my head. Living in Africa and life is great. Be grateful for what you have and help out where you can

[@sierrachoco5271]

You said it best!

[@julielenore]

What the principal said about the kids not eating at all and wearing the same clothing for months, that is not poverty, that is neglect. Years ago I had the misfortune to have been on welfare after leaving a bad relationship and having two children to care for, but my kids were never without food and clean warm clothes. I bought bags of oats,instead of frosted flakes, rice and beans instead of Kraft Dinner. I washed their clothes in the sink when I had no money for the machine. There needs to be a rate increase I agree, but there also needs to be education and life skills training for those who need it. Budgeting, job skills etc. All the handouts only get people used to the idea that they are unable to care for themselves. I am proud to support myself and my children now, I found a job, went back to school and work full time.

[@KernelPanic]

You are a remarkable mom.

[@melsarable]

Not only do totally with everything you've said I give you tons of credit for achieving all that you have to better you and your children's lives. Yes it's hard to get back on your feet after being knocked down but as a parent you HAVE TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to do for your children. The few things that I find the most disturbing and heartbreaking are kids having kids and people that are poor and have no prospects of improving their situation yet keep having more children! Their is no need or reason for anyone to bring a baby into this world if they can not provide for them properly! If you can not afford to have 1 child why the hell would you have 3 or 4 and no way to provide for them! Health centres give out free condoms and birth control and if all else fails there is adoption or abortion. Say what you may but either of those options are a whole lot better then growing up hungry, cold, broke and stressed out in a uncertain home life !

[@juniabrubaker7088]

+julielenore You are awesome! You knew what you needed to do, and you did what had to be done to give your kids what they needed, even though it was harder for you. You should be proud of yourself.

[@geniemeadows5122]

+Melanie Sauriol ...don't ever support abortion it is murder pure and simple and infuriates the Lord.

[@walperstyle]

+julielenore Raising minimum wage doesn't make for a prosperous nation. This might be tough to swallow but take this from a business owner. Now government comes along, already taxing you a lot, and already has a lot of regulations making it difficult and expensive to navigate a way to keep employees, and tells you that you have to pay your workers more. This measn that now you have to a) fire some employees to keep the good ones, and/or b) drive up the costs of your product you sell to the consumers. ...do you know what B) means? It means inflation. This makes minimum wage increases completely redundant now the the cost of everything has gone up. Prosperity comes from less government regulation so more ordinary people can create business opportunities. Right now, I would love to take my craft beer to the next level and hire 10 employees. Dream job for many right? Well, I can't. Because of the regulations on this industry, I can't even get started without having a few million dollars in the bank. The root problem is government intervention.

[@MsJamilaaa]

My God... The Mexican lawyer who works 14hrs as a cleaner just cause he handled the "wrong" case.... My God, It broke my heart!

[@tamarabella65]

MINE TOO

[@sarahgivens7182]

So true Great Dad

[@suzystone244]

Broke mine 💔

[@chukkachick1879]

Yes. I had a classmate like that in law school. He had been a federal prosecutor in Mexico, and decided to get out after he was kidnapped at gunpoint for the 3rd time. He was smart when he came here, though. Although he was older and married at the time, he took the time to requalify right away when he came to Canada and now practises law in Montréal.

[@justmissjamey]

Aryanaaa..hes lying...didnt you catch his son whom said even when he was young he couldnt come up with bus money for his school....then another time sayd he could get whatever he wanted in mexico....that story dont add up

[@malenaqueteimporta5729]

My parents moved to the Chicago area as undocumented immigrants. As soon as they were able they became documented. Although while I was growing up I saw this kind of poverty we were always clean and had food. My parents were able to send four kids to University and also became homeowners. They managed to save for retirement and are now enjoying themselves as snowbirds. It took one generation for us to get out of poverty, just one not 4.

[@lovelygal212]

Congrats?? 😒😒

[@sixteen.candles.4644]

@@lovelygal212 wow are you bitter? Need to be happy for her

[@thecrazymuzician1]

Good for you. Not everyone has to be just like your family, and not everyone has the the mental or emotional resources to do so. Good job for be a judgmental nobody. Stop bragging.

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

Should’ve never been here ..you all owe the money back you stole from the taxpayers

[@lifechoices4749]

Your parents don't tell you everything. Some people get extra money to buy houses illegally. Also the housing market is oversaturated right now.

[@zionsphere]

If you had kids and were stable and then hit a hard time I feel for you. If you were never stable and keep on having kids I only feel sorry for your kids. No money, potentially no home, keep having kids, WHY? Stop!!!!

[@huerag4849]

I don't know why but that happens everywhere. Most people that I know are like that except for some for my family on my fathers side. They went to school, University, jobs, then children. Alot of people dont use birth control, many are on drugs, some guys lie to the girls and the girls are not responsible as well and wond up alone with childen wprking dead end jobs and welfare. What I seen is the way out is education and positive role models and environments that many don't have

[@candyjones3652]

Agreed

[@thankyounext365]

When I saw the line exclusively for new moms I wanted to slap the shit out of the moms how’d you allow your self to bring an innocent child into this

[@jesusf.2600]

@Zarah Louise i bet you are the typical "christian". Hypocrite much?

[@melvynobrien6193]

@jmarks881 It doesn't cost 200 grand to raise a child. You talk nonsense. Unmarried sluts having too many children.

[@DJoy221]

I feel awful for those parents but my heart breaks more for the kids. They deserve a chance to grow up happy and stress free. Something needs to change :(

[@walperstyle]

+Dee Joy the sad thing is the job providers are gone because of heavy government regulation. THis is what creates poverty. Unfortunately the same socialist approach to fixing the problem is also not sustainable. Free the people so they can create change.

[@walperstyle]

Dacie Van Dyke You accomplish this by having less regulations that get in the way of your ability to create and keep wealth in your family. Where I live in Alberta, we only get 0.08 cents on every 1$ of tax taken by Ottawa. ...and not to us, but rather to our community. Its a pyramid scheme and we are not allowed to be at the top under all these laws.

[@acooksla]

They shouldn’t have kids if they can’t even feed them proper food or provide housing, shame on them

[@gladusb9181]

I really feel bad for these children. I grew up poor also. However, when it came to having my own children i made sure that I had enough to give them breakfast, buy them clothes, keep a roof over their heads. That's, how you stop poverty. By not creating more than you can handle.

[@mirta000]

my family was sure of that too. Than various bad things have happened over the course of my life. Crippling illnesses, bad investments, joblessness going on for too long, all of this will drain your bank account. Until one day you come to realize that you'll have to give up your house and move countries to work in a factory for ungodly hours and below minimum pay.

[@Edith.G.G.]

Exactly, so simple as that 🙌 I'm not in poverty but I don't feel to have: 1. The desire 2. The skills 3. The time 4. The mental and physical health 5. The energy For have kids. So I'll not do it. Is so simple as that, be honest with ourselves, with the outside reality and take decisions according that. The contraceptive methods are wide, and are simple to use, so why keep having more and more kids that only increase the problems and suffering in the world.

[@toytalkers881]

Gladus B so proud of you for stopping the cycle. Bless.

[@scottishdude9161]

The world needs more teachers like her. At least the children get something to eat. A wonderful human being and role model she is.

[@JaceHarnage]

I meant to say "poverty is poverty no matter where you may live." America, Canada - it's heartbreaking.

[@tundrellaCat68]

That teenage boy broke my heart. Apologizing for being a normal growing boy with an appetite. 😢

[@user-wh2zb5cm1f]

>Having multiple kids despite being impoverished >working 15 hours a week >"I don't wanna move out west!" >Taking payday loans

[@nutlover3609]

They need to fix their shit hole province Also most min wage jobs don’t hand out a lot of hours

[@becauseofkarma2913]

But she is doing everything she can 😂😂

[@helenec2468]

Sometimes the mindset determines the fate. While I really feel bad for her situation, but her poverty is the result of a serial of unwise decisions. I wish her and her family the best!

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

At 8:45 I hear Cameron talking about not being a burden on his parents and it breaks my heart. I’m a 53 year old combat veteran and he made me cry. No child should ever feel that way. It’s not his fault at all. It’s on his parents not him. I wish I could help him not his parents just him. He deserves better than he’s getting for damn sure.

[@Hallelujah_777]

Sadly I only saw one man actually providing for his family and he was a foreigner smh. Lord help these families especially the children!!! 🙌🏽😢

[@eibeelee2890]

Stephanie Mosby yep 👍🏻

[@kikilu79]

Stephanie Mosby Because he probably knows poverty from his home land. Real poverty. And I’m sure there are tons of men where he comes from that don’t take care of their kids. It’s quite easy to abandon your kids in the West. The nanny and welfare state will take care of them.

[@FaithandNova]

@@kikilu79 when I see videos like this I don't see poverty I see ppl who are lacking in some areas of life. When I think of poverty I think of ppl who have NOTHING

[@FaithandNova]

@M Detlef it's sad isn't it. Like no one wants to break the generational curses of lacking and struggling

[@thisisthebeginning4425]

@@kikilu79 ..Nice .Making EXCUSES. Thats why there are so many Lazy people with children they should have never had. And clearly you didnt watch his segment or you just saw a Mexican/Non White and thought poverty..the Father in question is a lawyer. Lets try this, why dont all these poor people scrape enough money together to buy a plane ticket and fly to another country and make a living . Lol, the mother of 3 , wont even move West to get out of poverty for her childrens sake. While this FATHER is working 14 hrs a day cleaning toilets. And stop blaming the "State". No one is forcing people to have children , then live in poverty.

[@tomdavis3488]

Wow I just lost it when a grown adult ...told the reporter that one child eat so much she vomited, because she didn't know where her next meal would come from ..... that's beyond sad

[@marciabrown2418]

“I don’t want to move out west” She doesn’t want change. But that is what is needed.

[@user-sg5qj4ni1u]

I have been blessed enough to never have to experience anything even close to poverty, but my heart goes out to all these people and I like to help in anyway I can ❤️

[@ShonKinsley]

"Some Kids eat till they throw up as they do not know when they can eat again" , this is heartbreaking, Tax payers money must be spent for those kids in need.

[@maddoggydizzle]

Omg the comment section of ppl attacking these poor people is disgusting. You have no idea what it is like to be brought up in generations of poverty. Stop judging these ppl and go volunteer your time or something.

[@1andonlylynda]

or better yet, have the poor volunteer their time and stop making babies; they have more time than I do to volunteer. :)

[@mirta000]

most of these people will be walking around the whole day hungry doing whatever they need to make ends meet. That is more time consumed than a 9 to 5 job.

[@EarthAngel504]

why have kids if you're the 1st generation to live in povery? obviously your line is cursed or something. so she should have saw to it that that blooline ends.

[@fauxmanchu8094]

madison may Your ideas are what contributes to endless poverty. Why is it so hard for you and your kind to understand the simple logic that bringing children into this world when you have nothing and no education is a bad idea? Where is your sympathy for the kids? Oh I see, just continue to drip feed them with canned foods and instant noodles everyday. Where is the money going to come from? From you? You've completely missed the point. The commenters here are not attacking them. They are pointing out that if you are poor you could at least be sensible, be proactive and end the poverty cycle in your family and use your common sense. You don't need to be educated to have common sense. Your ideas are just infantilising the poor.

[@gardenlady2041]

Yes , I am sure many of these people do .I do . But at some point you need to stop being a victim .

[@bass13mary]

That poor mom. The kids are so sweet. I pray for her.

[@Opalbird1]

1. Health care is free in Canada, not medication. Some provinces health care is not free, BC has health care premiums, don't pay, no service. It's not uncommon for young women, girls on the streets to be raped. Can't make them wear Condoms for that. If that's all one knows you don't know how to stop the cycle.most cities in Canada have no government housing, only slum landlords for those who get welfare. Atlantic Canada has few jobs, the big cities are expensive to live in. There are no more facilities for those who are mentally ill or those with limited intelligence. They end up on the street or in jail. Not having babies is not the cure for the problem. There are many who lost jobs due to economy and no fault of their own. Simplistic thinking will not help. Complaining will not help. Some just need a hand up not a hand out.

[@reneegonzales4425]

If you can't afford to take care of yourself, then a child should defiantly not be brought into this world !

[@angeliqueoren2462]

If you can't afford to feed your children then you certainly don't need two cats. Cats need food, litter, and care that you can't afford. The parents can't afford to feed their teenager but they can't afford to smoke. I feel horrible for the children and I don't know what the solution is, very sad! As it is the US, I suspect the government has only made it worse trying to solve it!

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

This is Canada

[@kingbibihabibi]

Ridiculous that the Mexican man can't be a lawyer in Canada, too. This is somewhere the government definitely should and can step in. Make it simpler for immigrants to transfer their skills and qualifications.

[@chukkachick1879]

He would have had an easier time requalifying in Québec. Their civil code legal system is similar to Mexico. Ontario and the other 8 provinces are common law jurisdictions, so he would have had to go to law school all over again for the 3 yr J.D. Too bad. Maybe he could not spare the time to do so since he had a young family.

[@skyfly7302]

first you need to have money

[@mirta000]

I see a lot of people that don't understand. I grew up in an unpredictable environment. My cousins went from having a house to not being able to afford education in an instant. My mother had my sister, then her husband had an aneurysm and she was made redundant. Both of them are 40. Despite being educated they almost certainly won't be able to find a job again. I won't consider myself at the poverty line, I'm actually middle class and educated. But for example, if I wanted an apartment dept free, it would be 20 years of saving. By then I might no longer even be fertile. So if I want a family, I will have to choose in a decade at the latest.

[@XxPermaGrinxX]

Work harder to effect change that's all. If you want it work for it. The opportunity is available for those who want it. Not the lazy or unfortunate who after an incident propagate a stereotype or way of living for no other reason than pity.

[@sunsethouse1]

I don't understand, it is as bad as America is. These people may be poor, and are barely making it, but is doesn't stop them from having multiple children or a young girl getting pregnant. They are not stupid, I just don't get it.

[@nayanmipun6784]

everyone should have children regardless of the economy status

[@galegrazutis185]

@@nayanmipun6784 your a dead set idiot who is going to pay for it all

[@playmatecaz]

Nayan Mipun no we have one child and we are very lucky and have money but can not afford another child. We are not going to rely on anyone or government for help just to have a child.

[@nayanmipun6784]

@@galegrazutis185 you are the main idiot here who has given in the circumstances

[@kimlightfoot]

@@galegrazutis185 having a child is a basic right anyone has. Think of all those women and men out there that spend thousands of dollars trying to have a child. Economics be damned, having a family is always a good thing assuming the parents are loving and caring people.

[@FocusProj]

how about the responsibility of their parents to "think" before having dependents.

[@Black_Rose5102]

Amen!!!

[@mirta000]

what if they do? You never know when you will be made redundant, nor how long redundancy will last.

[@patriciagaebel4665]

FocusProj Not having sex is the only answer. But human beings don't want to stop having sex. Even the best birth control, can fail

[@Sion.Ryan.Green.]

FocusProj accidents happen....car crashes...disability....physical and mental...etc etc

[@Edith.G.G.]

@@patriciagaebel4665 surgery is 100% secure in the 99% of cases.

[@islandneni1829]

I really hope things got better for these kids. Their suffering is making me cry. God bless these good and selfless people for helping them!!!

[@EJEvilJ]

It's quite disturbing that people who can't care for themselves are having more and more children. Perhaps birth control should be passed out along with the soup?

[@lupehill8525]

EJEvilJ, 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂! I laughed so damn hard until I couldn't laugh anymore! I absolutely agree with you. 😂😂😂😂

[@Lisawhatshersname]

EJEvilJ condoms! But stuff happens...

[@luckyirish7277]

EJEvilJ couldn’t agree with u more .. it’s unfair to bring kids into a life like that ..

[@LostLakeLass]

EJEvilJ Sterilize these assholes

[@cv9624]

Yeah, they should practice with you first, you know...to get it right.

[@patriciagaebel4665]

It's not easy being poor. I learned to cook when I was little, and learned how to make things last.

[@puffymuffin9064]

Me too

[@thejtshow4278]

To see an educated man who used to be a lawyer who now has to work 14hours a day as cleaner just sucks

[@JS-tv8sf]

We live in a sick world. We all depend on the services provided by the working poor, but still, treat them like they don't deserve anything.

[@ohioitis200]

Has there ever been an update on this? Would love to see how to kids are doing and if they ever got out of poverty.

[@brendaechols2228]

4th generation poor? That's terrible!

[@kimlightfoot]

My daughter has broken the cycle. She is determined to not be five generations, although everything is stacked against her. She has a child, she supports with her husband, and despite wanting more children, she feels it would be unfair to the one she already has due to the incomes they both have, trying to have a second child would strain their incomes to the point they would be unable to provide what they are providing now for one child. So they decided not to have more children. If you truly wanted to see the poorest of the poor in Canada, Visit your local Native Reserve. Those are 152 years worth of the poor.

[@IndigoChild777X]

Yet they keep having kids!

[@memyselfandi522]

its always so easy to judge if you dont't know somebody history or circumstances you just should show some humanity

[@verucasalt4535]

Honestly, i have to say this: i think the need for these children not being abused far outweighs skipping a lunch or two. the young girl who said she didn't sleep because of nightmares broke my heart!! A breakfast isn't going to fix that...

[@ashleypugh7364]

"Im not ready to have kids " well why didn't you think of that before ?! 🙄 it's always the kids that suffer not fair at all

[@nathaniadavis245]

How can you have sex and be hungry homeless and broke is beyond me

[@michaelastrekowski8246]

Well she is a kid herself 🤷‍♀️

[@corrinnacorrinna5572]

"I'm not ready to have kids." Don't have kids! Simple. Birth control is readily available.

[@Theodorej1960]

@@corrinnacorrinna5572 And FREE, in most cases.

[@vickyfung2634]

@@corrinnacorrinna5572 Maybe she was a victim of sexual assault?

[@robertoorsi3203]

a) Most of these people seem to have been dropped onto this planet from a distant star. It is amazing the individualism of Western societies you can see. They seem to have no relation. No parents, no extended families. Where are the fathers of all those kids? Nobody knows. This is a serious issue. Everybody expects that the only response MUST come from the state or from the charity "industry", which is ultimately funded mostly by the state (i.e. by more public debt!). In reality, this is more a cultural and social problem than an economic one (although there is a general issue with the economic structure of the society). b) Immigration of millions of people in few years who are going to be structurally and indefinitely depended on welfare is not a good policy. Western countries need a far more conservative policy on immigration.

[@LShy3142]

+Roberto Orsi LOL... I was following you till you blind-sided your arguments with Immigration.

[@robertoorsi3203]

Why blind sided?

[@litishalockett9500]

Roberto Orsi it's sad but we live in a selfish world where people are only concerned with themselves and have little compassion for others. It's the "do you" mentality. I mean look at these comments. People have no empathy for others, I only hope they never have to endure tough times

[@MargieVarner44]

You can have empathy but NOT WANT TO SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR MISTAKES.

[@user-yz8lg3bo3y]

Maybe.... some of these families have pulled up stake and become individualists for good reason. Maybe they don't have the family support from where they came from and where they are now is a step up from where they've been. I agree that this is a cultural and social problem. We tell them they aren't good enough on one hand, then when they try to make things better for themselves, we slap them back down with the other hand.

[@ilovemydressinggown9715]

This is heart breaking.. I'm sat crying watching this.

[@Jeanne90275]

If they are the 4th generation living in poverty, each generation is making the same mistakes...babies out of wedlock, too many pregnancies, not taking advantage of educational opportunities, etc. They can all be married to men with 'bad backs." It sounds like Canada is doing a good job of feeding school children breakfast and lunch is a wise plan.

[@nieceofhiphop4eva]

Agreed. It's like that in the states too. You left something out of your observation. True poor people don't (or shouldn't have) flat screens or a smartphone.

[@callak_9974]

+RoshellMcFly Smart phones are easy enough to obtain in the USA or Canada now for cheap if you get a much older generation one.

[@whifflingtit9240]

callak _ I bought one for a friend at a yard sale for $5. Super cheap.

[@nieceofhiphop4eva]

+callak Maybe but it implies LUXURY. If they have a phone it should be a cheaper house phone or a minute phone, to be used for job hunting.

[@callak_9974]

It may look like it, but would still need to know the generation of the phone. And a landline is not as cheap as you think. As least you can go on a pay-as-you go plan on a cellphone instead of a monthly fee. I'm doing that with Rogers and if I put an initial deposit of $100, it's good for the whole year or until I used up all that money. A landline, cheapest I've seen is $12, not including tax and that's per month. Yes you could get something like the Magic Jack where it's like $20-50 a year, but then that means you also need an internet connection which would end up costing even more overall.

[@ITPCD]

Please stop having kids if you can't for sure take good care of them. Do you want your kids to suffer???

[@charlescxgo7629]

You should go live in Cuba then, everything is still free...

[@micaelasodre3210]

exactly!! Many mothers living off our taxes are the problem. More generations of the poor will come.

[@lovelygal212]

"Im sorry for coming at all". Oh shit. Right in the feels 😣😣

[@assalikxxx8951]

Before I got my job I can't count how many times I cried. But praises be to my lord I kept trying. I pray I stay on this track and I pray for more success. Krystal don't give up. It seems hopeless now but believe me you stay in the fight.

[@mariekatherine5238]

St. Lawrence Co. NY, 1982, I came upon the home of my sixth grade student. It was a run-down shell of a mobile home with a dirt floor covered by pallets and dirt. Over it was an assortment of worn out, rugs, tiles, plywood. Only one window was unbroken. Heat and stove was a 50 gal. drum vented through the side of the trailer. They had an assortment of flashlights, kerosene lamps donated by local Amish families. Milk crates, boxsprings with plywood on top served as beds. There were a few chairs and a table rescued from the dump. The bathroom contained two five gallon buckets for toilets and a plastic tarp lined shower stall. My student showed up about 2-3 times per week, always in the same stinking clothes, hair greasy, uncombed, teeth rotten. She was given a wide girth by all, teachers included, and if she did come too near, her peers cursed her, pushed her away. There was a de facto agreement that "Darlene" did not attend P.E., art, music, or assembles. At lunch she picked up her free food and ate it in a doorway. When I called child welfare, I was informed that Darlene was NOT abused, and that she was receiving the services to which she was entitled---free school breakfast, lunch, and counseling in town on Saturdays. When I pointed out the mother lacked a reliable car to get her to town, and that she didn't have running water, indoor plumbing, or electricity in her home, a telephone, or safe means of walking the two mile rutted road to access the school bus, I was told those matters were not the agency's jurisdiction. I brought food, soap, other supplies as I was able from my own funds. Disgustingly, I could find not one other school employee to join me. They'd given up on Darlene's mother a decade prior, and I soon found out "do-gooders" from big cities weren't wanted. My short term of service was over by Dec. 1, so I was unable to keep up with Darlene's progress. Although in grade six, she was illiterate, same as two other students in the class. All three were "15 and counting the days" to when the school forced a parent to have them drop out. I returned to my nice life in Queens and have never forgotten Darlene.

[@catlady7135]

Marie Katherine Where did this girl and her family live was it on a native reserve?

[@brypie88]

The dad "cant work" because of a back injury but can sit on the couch watching tv? Find a job in a call center, or cashiering somewhere. yeah its hard to find a job but these people cant just sit idle because of an injury

[@spacebunny6278]

Bryan he wasn't watching tv, he was playing ps4.

[@neanam]

Melanie Pifka lol cold blooded

[@OldGayGamer]

People who are disabled have good days and bad days. Employers don't want workers who can work one day and call out the next day. Yeah maybe he can get up and find a job on one of his good days, then lose it within a month, then find a new one and lose that one within a month too. I don't blame a person for living off of assistance in that circumstance.

[@1000SANDIKAY]

😁 😁 😁 😁. Lol ikr, disgusting letting her go out to work and him staying at home

[@NotJessH]

I have a feeling he collects disability $ due to his back injury.

[@kaylasmith7489]

I don't know how to feel about this. It's sad to see them all in these situations but I look at my own parents and think if they can do it, anyone can. They came to America with nothing and not speaking English. My father worked a $9 an hour job while my mother cared over a family of 8. We were raised on welfare but got us out of it. They were able to raise nurses, accountants and doctors out of their situation. We were raised with nothing, no pets, no toys, or cheap process food that will only last one night. I honestly don't know how my parents did it but am so thankful they were able to get us out and show us different. I hope that these parents can do the same for their children.

[@harpergrace5846]

Kay Minnow times have changed tho

[@sochiiiii]

You can't survive on a $9/hour job anymore or the modern minimum wage equivalent

[@ToniA5555]

Thank goodness for the people who help.

[@MrDav-kk6uq]

The poor need to quit smoking cigarettes are so expensive these days.

[@SignificantPressure100]

Most smokers are people who have ADHD

[@spacebunny6278]

So you have enough money to dye your kids hair purple and blonde but not enough to feed them?

[@Edith.G.G.]

@crystal diamond Exactly is just matter of priorities.

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

You can dye hair with a packet of kool-aid lol .10c

[@carriebizz]

That's really good that at least the school gives free meals during the week, doesn't happen here in Australia

[@saywhaaaaat6464]

I complained a couple of days ago that I was sick of having no money because I couldn't afford a night out. Now I feel ashamed. I have a warm and nice home, plenty of food, heat and hot water and two pets I adore. Life could be much much worse!

[@reneegonzales4425]

It's heart wrenching to see what's going on in this world !

[@Nope17612]

"Everything handed to them". No, most everyone works for it.

[@yen8336]

He was talking about the kids, especially teenagers.

[@mirta000]

you normally only get that if you prove that you relentlessly are looking for work and will take whatever comes your way.

[@cthulhuhasrisen1009]

+steve b i laughed my ass off, nice one!

[@lookingforanswers4271]

Nine Oh Seven 3 jobs and going to school. handle to me my foot

[@Alana8480]

I wish people would consider the possible consequences BEFORE having sex. Pregnancy is ALWAYS a possibility, and if you aren't ready for a baby, you should be using birth control fervently.

[@lupehill8525]

Alana P, PRECISELY!!!!

[@tomdavis3488]

Alana P u can be single and be struggling . Wake up

[@Elviraaphantom]

You don’t have to have kids to be struggling even people that never had kids struggle too it’s reality. Birth control doesn’t always work either cause sometimes you still end up getting pregnant. We all don’t know their situation to judge or to be telling them to not have kids cause for all we know they probably were living good until things fell apart

[@fauxmanchu8094]

Elviraadr3amz Excuses, excuses..... 🙄🙄🙄

[@reddawn201285]

Heating the house with the stove. Eat ramen noodles twice a day, put bags on your feet over socks when shoes get holes. Been there man. My kids will never be!!

[@Daughterchasya]

Ppl who are asking about pets ... poor ppl have huge hearts and I bet those pets were taken off the street and I think that’s awesome better to have a roof over their heads and scraps then nothing

[@BeyondChange]

Why is it that poor people who can't afford food own pets.

[@spiffierthehunter7247]

right !!!

[@rlocatellidigital]

Why not eating eachother, like Russia on the early 20th century?

[@sparkle5278]

Plus a pet serves as protection, companionship and chases off rodents.

[@spf_500]

same reason those same poor people who cant afford food have kids.

[@cthulhuhasrisen1009]

+rlocatellidigital a modest proposal!

[@aliciajohnson8207]

The food bank is spending so much money on formula a week, why don't they encourage mums to breastfeed? I understand the struggle of being poor, but I don't understand why people don't choose the more natural and free options?

[@CowboyQueen]

Alicia Johnson Some women can't produce milk. Especially if they aren't healthy to begin with .

[@TangiableArc]

@@CowboyQueen True, some can't, but most women CAN

[@kimlightfoot]

I had four children. Breast ffed my first, until it was discovered she couldn't tolerate breast milk, or cows milk. So she was on soy formula. 1985. 1989 Breastfed my second daughter for four months, milk dried up. 1992 Breastfed my son, for seven months, he grew, but not as fast as he should have, not due to lack of milk, but on account of he was a lazy eater, took over an hour to breast feed him. Not everyone who is poor is choosing formula for the sake of it. Not every mother in the world is capable of breast feeding. My grandmother couldn't breast feed any of her children, she had inverted nipples. Breastfeeding is a very personl choice, same as adoption, abortion, or anything else to do with our bodies. JW's choose to die rather than risk a blood transfusion. Doesn't mean they should be judged for their choices any more than a Mother should be shamed by not breast feeding. Mother shaming has got to end.

[@csnyder820]

It doesn't matter what job you do. My heart goes out to you all. I hope things are better.

[@ladykay917]

So nice of the rich woman who helps feeds them...

[@cherchuhaikieu4328]

This is heart breaking to watch and it’s even worse now. Cost of living and taxes increased every year.

[@circlesinthenight3141]

This will never really be fixed

[@thatcanadiangrandma]

That was me, a while ago. My problem was and still is, that i have food allergies ( wheat, dairy, fish , pepper, and several fruits) and the food banks or soup kitchen could not help me, or barely. A few canned veggies here and there, a bag of rice. There is no such food for people like me in the food banks. Gluten or dairy free stuff is very rare. It's mostly processed food. Having the misfortune to be needy with several allergies is very hard, and there's a lot of ignorance there. I was told things like: can't you eat it anyway? As if allergies were a luxury or something. So, i learned to cook and became extremely skilled. I made complete meals with frozen veggies, legumes, grains and i never had to eat junk food a single day. I had no choice but to get by without them. I turned something negative into a good thing; I eat a very healthy diet of whole foods. Even today, if i need help, i know they won't help. I represent maybe a tiny percentage of the population so, nobody thinks of doing something for ppl like me.

[@becauseofkarma2913]

"I'm doing everything I can for my kids, the only way to get a better job is to move out west, I don't want to move!!' 🤔🤔🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@user-zr5qk5jc6v]

Having kids isn't even on my mind unless i can get a better living wage. I know so many people my age coming from poverty that get pregnant and the cycle just continues it's frustrating but you can't turn your back on the kids you can only try to educate them so they break that cycle.

[@jackypatterson4139]

We grew up in the Camden NJ housing projects with nothing. There were myself and my 4 brothers. We turned out fine 2 bros became Philadelphia's finest, 1 is a banker and I am in medicine..I started working at 12 years old. We all graduated HS and College...

[@gear14]

The issue with poverty is that there’s no real solution, all we can do is help each other until we manage some success, if you have too much then you should donate to those who have less cause the tables can turn at any moment, don’t ever believe it can’t happen to you

[@jacobjosh4661]

Helping them has become enabling them.

[@thankyounext365]

Jacob Josh you can’t allow children to suffer it’s not fair to them. I wish there was a way to help children and just the children but there isn’t.

[@katrinaumana2127]

I broke the cycle of poverty and have a mortgage for my house 🏡.It's not easy but can be done. I choose not to have kids out of wedlock!

[@p.e.i.man-canada-1372]

If you could afford a mortgage I doubt you even came from a cycle of poverty. Unless it was shear luck.

[@Kerry-AnneBrowne]

Being married before kids makes no difference. Except it's more expensive if it you want to break up lol

[@NotJessH]

I have a child out of wedlock. Shame on me! My boyfriend and I have been together for 7 years and we are financially stable, home owners, in a loving relationship with a beautiful life and family even though we’re not married. We’re educated, working professionals and living the American dream! We’re just not married. So... having a child out of wedlock is not necessarily a bad thing

[@dessean1]

Good for you. It's much easier to break the cycle of poverty when you're a single dependent but unfortunately most become pregnant & bring more dependents into the world whom they are clearly unable to support & so the next generation is set up to become impoverished as well.

[@Meli_Mels]

me too and I made the same decision about babies before marriage. Now I try to model the path out of poverty for every young girl I meet because I know so much about their realities

[@mikeekim1101]

Poor people shouldn't have so many kids. If you cant feed them don't breed them ! Its that simple.

[@gardenlady2041]

Why do these people always have too many pets ? You have no milk , you can not afford the luxury of pets .

[@TerranTaro]

because when you're drowning that badly you find the money to get pet food so you and your kids have something to focus on besides the situation you're in. Cat food is 20 dollars every so often, less if you find an off brand cheap food.

[@mirta000]

cats can almost feed themselves. I remember my best childhood friend grew up in a 30 square meter apartment with two brothers and 4 cats. And the cats were the things that kept them going trough the worst of times.

[@biteskins]

Pet food is not the only cost, vet bills suck even if you have money. I too don't understand why if someone has such a hungry life why they would want to share that misery with another living creature. If they want to focus on something other than their own situation they could volunteer at an animal shelter.

[@gardenlady2041]

Cats can not eat healthy on their own because we have bred them to domestication . Domestic pets need shots and vet care . Not only for their health , but they can carry human diseases such as strep and impetigo . Also , when cats kill and eat rodents they pick up parasites such as worms , ticks and fleas . That is not healthy for any animal or humans , especially small children . On top of this , many cats in a confined area are not physically or mentally healthy . Read about it . I do not see these families putting any money or effort into keeping these animals healthy and happy . They probably are not spayed or fixed . Let me tell you . Myself and a few others collected $ to capture , treat and fix a large amount of cats that a poor family had in our town . It was very sad and difficult work . Many folks donated money . In the end many animals had to be euthanised . We did not catch all the feral cats so the cycle unfortunately began again . I do not have an issue with these families having a pet , but most of these documentaries show multiple pets .How happy can a child be if there are fleas and unhealthy animals in the picture ? Even Hemingways" cats get regular care and attention .

[@MiguelCruz-uv3ui]

Janet Whitbeck.

[@anaperic4741]

I met a lady whose family grew up irresponsible. She now always wants someone else to support her. Say "no".

[@patriciaking7892]

Some people have choices and some don't.

[@Edith.G.G.]

Everybody have choices. It's on us what we want to choose.

[@livinglovinR]

Ugh I need to go volunteer sometime at one of these places. People need to get off their ass sometimes in order to be able to experience what others go through. #Goals

[@ohmeowzer1]

God Bless Kira and Tyler sweet children..may their futures be bright

[@MeowJW]

Man this is depressing..

[@brucewayne3892]

4:17 The government pays and arranges foster home for you, but you rather be on the streets? Bad choices seems to be her main ailment

[@LuisaD93]

Bruce Wayne there are a lot of bad foster homes who only do it for the money they receive from the state. Most of those kids never see a dime of the money for even clothes, food etc . They are often neglected and abused both physically and mentally and used as slave labor for the rest of the family. Perhaps that's why she left

[@juliehurst7382]

Would rather be on the streets which is hell than be in a foster home what does that tell you ?

[@brucewayne3892]

@@juliehurst7382 it tells me your priorities are skewed and has a twisted view on your best interest

[@juliehurst7382]

@@brucewayne3892 hi bruce say again??

[@brucewayne3892]

@@juliehurst7382 say again? You act read it?

[@momnona1969]

She only works 15 hours a week, why is her house so dirty??

[@steelcastle5616]

Probably because of "Depression" and the fact it's probably not her house. Also, when money for food is limited, do you spend it on cleaning items or food/clothing?

[@MiguelCruz-uv3ui]

Mom Nona. Aaaaahhh TO many children???!!!

[@stacitowery3475]

An old t-shirt and some elbow grease isn't terribly expensive. Neither is taking out the trash.

[@AdamBalan]

No no why do they have a flat screen and cats and anything? Sell everything

[@Edith.G.G.]

@@stacitowery3475 exactly, and a small bag of powder soap, that's super cheap and clean very well.

[@nailachowdhury3002]

But as a Canadian citizen I would say that Canadian govt is trying help.. for example providing child tax benefits and other benefits too.. these benefits really helped us when we were in financial crisis..

[@acajudi100]

Birth control!

[@EternalxAutumn]

birth control is not cheap and unless you find a free clinic that offers condoms that aren't expired then you're pretty much out of luck,

[@acajudi100]

Sterilization for both!

[@EternalxAutumn]

There used to be mandated sterilization. *Surprisingly* it was deemed inhumane

[@gateway4shadow]

birth control can fail. and honestly why would you want the government involved in population control? monsato and poor health is bad enough tbh. sterilization doesnt fix the fact that there needs to be a living wage.

[@padussia]

acajudi100 🤣🤣🤣

[@ClaudeGelinas]

Poverty in Canada is very real, even where you wouldn't think to look, like in the so-called middle class.

[@nutlover3609]

Claude Gelinas Yep our mortgage payments are 2.5k a month and food costs 1k. Ridiculous

[@rockbay79]

In California right now, some farmers are paying $35.00 per hour for workers to pick and gather fresh foods. The immigrants are all getting shipped back to Mexico, so there is plenty of work. But, no one is taking the jobs. They don't want field work even at $35.00 per hour.

[@spacebunny6278]

rockbay79 super entitled poor

[@JackJack-zq6hz]

Unless you are living this life yourselves no one will really know what it’s like . I don’t ever judge people. No one should be living like this.

[@EliteMuppet]

I don't understand people who have children when they can't even afford to live themselves... And don't give me crap about how expensive birth control is. It is a hell of a lot cheaper than a child. These people are just selfish, they have their kids for their own reasons without thinking about the consequences. Now their kids starve and live a shitty life because their parents just had to have a child! Raising a family shouldn't be an impulse decision. Use your damn brain! Get a stable income and living situation before you even think about having kids. I do realize accidents happen; Plan B, Abortion, Adoption, etc.

[@deborahjabara2614]

Elite Muppet I don't understand poor people who have children to feed, but have an animal or sometimes two to feed also. Their values are just not ours. They don't think in the future, but in the here and now. They go from crisis to crisis all caused by themselves.

[@MrTechlocked]

Deborah Jabara What about the guy that's working 14 hours a day and cant pay the rent. How are you idiots going to demonize him for being poor. Poverty is an equation of an unequal society no one becomes poor by their own choice by circumstances lead them their and its hard to get out. My family has done it so I don't judge other people because of their misery. Only god can judge.

[@misswhitegrape0225]

Elite Muppet Sometimes people are financially stable when they have babies but then lose their job later on. Don't judge.

[@waynejohnson1786]

Elite Muppet Maybe they were well off when they got pregnant, maybe they got pregnant at a young age, maybe they accidentally get pregnant. Don't judge people because they're in a bad situation especially because they have children.. I understand where you coming from, I've known people that already have a child or two, are poor, can barely get by then purposely get pregnant and that's just selfish and stupid. Nobody has a kid saying "Oh I'm having a kid so they can grow up in poverty and have a horrible life" times change, people lose their jobs... people make mistakes and they don't need people judging them, calling them horrible parents when they're trying their hardest to get by for those kids... I wasn't "poor" growing up but I definitely wasn't middle class that's for sure, I love my mom and thankful she worked 2 jobs so we could get by. I'd even go as far to say kids that grow up in these environments grow up to be the hardest working contrary to how most think poor kids grow up to be thugs (which many do) but most of the CEO's and shit that didn't inherit their businesses started literally from the bottom. Saying dumb shit like that is like saying all poor people should be sterilized or legally not be able to have children as long as their poor... Being poor doesn't make you a horrible parents and I'd even say that it makes you a better parent... If I had the choice to go back to before I was born and pick who my parents were I'd choose my parents every time over some rich parents...

[@deborahjabara2614]

Even if BC were free, which it practically is, It is realistically only about 90% effective because it has to be used properly, and being on BC has the effect of increasing sexual activity. If the taxpayers refused to pay for each downloaded child, whether mom was married to baby daddy or not, you can bet a lot of women would rightly say not tonight honey!!!!

[@dieselxdan]

So sad. Life is so unfair. I hope rich people sees this and please help. There are only so such money you really need.

[@JaceHarnage]

Poverty is poverty in America. It has no color. The despair, feeling hopeless, and wanting to give up is the same. I hope the young woman who wants to continue to live in her old neighborhood will reconsider think of what's best for her family and move where she can find better work.

[@cynthiabromback8854]

Moving takes money!!

[@JenniferJane78]

Sometimes need to be brave enough to let go of the relationships that encourage poverty, sometimes that is the person connection that one believes they deserve to be poor. I moved west 25 years ago, I hear of many from back east who are living in prisons of their own making, they are more afraid of losing their social connections, than not having food or a roof over their head. It is sad how crippling the poverty mindset is, telling them it is better to struggle in some of the worst ways, than to have financial security.

[@lookingforanswers4271]

I don't have money yet they all smoke and alot do drugs. where ya getting the money for those

[@jocelynpaul8082]

if they can't make it on the street then why are they remaking baby

[@golden4730]

Because Conservatives are Pro-Life

[@CDN1975]

Children deserve so much better. sadly though, the cycle of poverty will likely never end.

[@adelitavalle1852]

I was homeless and hungry, but I worked and saved. I am very grateful for what I have. The things I have I worked for them. It was not given to me. So, I know what poverty is like and I understand. I hated to be hungry and homeless.

[@danka603]

A lot of people don't wanna move, but they gotta. She should move.

[@Homegrown_Values]

It's not easy to just pick up and move. You gotta have some cash and a plan and a place to stay and find a job. We did this four years ago and it was very hard and quite expensive. We took very little with us. Turning forward in time with this latest downturn it's so frigging hard to keep your job or face being laid off. Our government doesn't see a issue with folks losing everything or offering skills training resorts to help unemployed folks get back on their feet in a new trade. Plus with all these new taxations heading our way, even a modest family with no toys and campers feel the heavy burden living pay check to pay check

[@mindyschocolate]

It's several thousand dollars to hire a moving company and to pack up your place. Even getting a U-haul is expensive. To pack everything up yourself will literally take all day for a one bedroom. If you have a house, several days. So now you're paying to keep that rental truck. Then there's first, last month's rent, plus deposit. That's a ton of money upfront. Most poor people don't have salaried jobs so they're losing money talking time off to do this. People in this video can't even pay back $250 loans. Where do they find money to move?

[@SHAWNA499]

A LaRonde t

[@askquestionsplz]

canadian government reimburses people on their taxes for moving costs... and can also sometimes give money to you to move if you make a case for it.

[@Aquaria2291]

I wish people would stop having children that they can't afford. If you can't make ends meet, then why are you having two and three children. I try not to judge people but come on. Even after the first one, you didn't stop?!

[@lupehill8525]

Aquaria2291, PRECISELY!!!!

[@Elviraaphantom]

Maybe they weren’t struggling at that time and birth control also doesn’t work all the time nor do condoms cause sometimes they can bust and birth control sometimes doesn’t even work still end up getting pregnant so we all shouldn’t judge at all what so ever cause we don’t fully know their situation or how they were before.finding a job isn’t so easy at all either so my prayers go out to these families and hope that they are doing much better now cause god works in mysterious ways

[@MrTommyboy68]

@Elviraa: As our dearly beloved former president once said: JUST SAY NO. Great advise. KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOSED.

[@youaskedforit7973]

Elviraa G. 4 words for you my friend "Keep your legs close"..Trust me we don't need more of you litterly.

[@padussia]

MrTommyboy68 🤣🤣🤣

[@Tyyffgb.cvcxxxcc1245]

People need to plan better before having children. Take responsibility in decisions and use protection

[@letgo8118]

What needs to happen is they need to start making these parents responsible for their children. Lock them up. I bet they will think before they have children.

[@gedisdiop]

Well, if you need to move to have a better paying job, and don't want to move, then enjoy your poverty.

[@billijomaynard8924]

Moving out west would not make any difference whatsoever, in fact she would most likely be worse off than she is now. Yes, wages are higher but the cost of living is extortionate.

[@LivvyAlexW]

I moved from Ontario to Alberta, and it’s so expensive. There are no jobs, wages are low, housing is expensive

[@ericengvall8619]

I consider her lucky that she at least gets to keep her home. In many areas in the U.S.A., especially the California bay area, rent-hike caused evictions are an epidemic and even the college educated with a 6 figure income are struggling to stay there.

[@shoryacione5175]

Whwt if you cant afford to move?

[@lwscijunkie]

....And now Canada's "welcoming" HOW many "refugees"?

[@hotcoffee6911]

Laura Wrzeski And so were your family at some point in time ,,,,,your native are you

[@tomdavis3488]

Laura Wrzeski u can't afford too help your own how the hell can u help refugees wow .. no sense

[@marykay8587]

Those ‘refugees’ have picked themselves up and created their own businesses and yet Canadians are still struggling...hard work tied together with education is a great thing

[@whatmarciedidnext6246]

Is there an update at all?

[@Skiskiski]

Principal looks like Carol Burnette. This Principal is a great lady helping kids in CANADA.

[@sallyclay1974]

I've always said, they need to teach the poor to stay in school, grow a brain, before they start popping out kids they can't provide for. Give them birth control.