Some might say it's been a terrific decade for Desmond Hatchett -- at least when it comes to his life in the bedroom. However, Hatchett's luck ran out when it came time to ante up his child support
payments. This father of 30 (aged newborn to adolescent) can't seem to
muster more than $1.49 a month in support of kids, and because of this,
he thinks that the taxpayers should foot the bill and that he should get
a break.
Social Outrage
After the story broke, I saw nothing short of rage and disgust regarding Desmond Hatchett's fathering choices and the choices of 11 mothers he continued having unprotected sex with. Words like "irresponsible," "disgusting" and even "deadbeat" were thrown around like popcorn in a movie theater. And while I understand the general outrage, and despite the fact I realize welfare programs are to help the poor and needy, I still want to know where personal responsibility kicks in when it comes to people like Hatchett and company.
My Two Cents
When I was 15, I had twins - and yes, I was using birth control. After my family left me in the lurch, I had to rely on assistance from the state in order to get by. However, I didn't rely on that aid for very long.
Perhaps it was my pride, maybe it was my sense of responsibility, but from the moment I became a welfare case, the only thing I wanted to do was get off welfare.
And I Did
I worked two jobs while my husband was in the military, and still made time for my twins and my household duties. And I did it all in the name of not wanting to take hand outs. I was only "on the system" for a year before I kicked my habit.
Poverty Level Living
I hear the heartbreaking cries of folks living at poverty level all the time, and while I can commensurate with them (and even have empathy for these folks) because I have lived there myself for many years, I have to ask where the drive is to get out of poverty level living. I had it. I did it. By the age of 24, I had worked my way up the corporate food chain after having a variety of jobs and quadrupled my income in the process. By age 27, I was making six figures, and all without a college degree.
Bottom Line
Do I have sympathy for Hatchett or the 11 mothers in this case? Not a lick of it. He choose to have unprotected sex with 11 women, and those 11 women chose to do the same with him. Now, it's time for all involved to ante up and pay the piper in order to properly care for the 30 young lives they are responsible for, without anyone else footing the bill.
Living and living well are two markedly different things, but the latter is a matter of choice, not a relegation of circumstance. I know this, because I'm living proof - and my proof is living well.
More from this Contributor:
From $45,000 in Debt to a Cash-Only Life
I'm Making Money (And Credit) a Family Affair
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Social Outrage
After the story broke, I saw nothing short of rage and disgust regarding Desmond Hatchett's fathering choices and the choices of 11 mothers he continued having unprotected sex with. Words like "irresponsible," "disgusting" and even "deadbeat" were thrown around like popcorn in a movie theater. And while I understand the general outrage, and despite the fact I realize welfare programs are to help the poor and needy, I still want to know where personal responsibility kicks in when it comes to people like Hatchett and company.
My Two Cents
When I was 15, I had twins - and yes, I was using birth control. After my family left me in the lurch, I had to rely on assistance from the state in order to get by. However, I didn't rely on that aid for very long.
Perhaps it was my pride, maybe it was my sense of responsibility, but from the moment I became a welfare case, the only thing I wanted to do was get off welfare.
And I Did
I worked two jobs while my husband was in the military, and still made time for my twins and my household duties. And I did it all in the name of not wanting to take hand outs. I was only "on the system" for a year before I kicked my habit.
Poverty Level Living
I hear the heartbreaking cries of folks living at poverty level all the time, and while I can commensurate with them (and even have empathy for these folks) because I have lived there myself for many years, I have to ask where the drive is to get out of poverty level living. I had it. I did it. By the age of 24, I had worked my way up the corporate food chain after having a variety of jobs and quadrupled my income in the process. By age 27, I was making six figures, and all without a college degree.
Bottom Line
Do I have sympathy for Hatchett or the 11 mothers in this case? Not a lick of it. He choose to have unprotected sex with 11 women, and those 11 women chose to do the same with him. Now, it's time for all involved to ante up and pay the piper in order to properly care for the 30 young lives they are responsible for, without anyone else footing the bill.
Living and living well are two markedly different things, but the latter is a matter of choice, not a relegation of circumstance. I know this, because I'm living proof - and my proof is living well.
More from this Contributor:
From $45,000 in Debt to a Cash-Only Life
I'm Making Money (And Credit) a Family Affair
5 Ways That Low Interest Rates Benefit Average Americans
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