As a result of welfare reform, many poor single mothers lost their benefits and had to find employment. Many of our students couldn't even find minimum wage employment and became maids earning below minimum wage. Often, the daughters in these households, became the surrogate mothers at a very young age. The situation forced them to take the role of the mother, and ignore their schooling. It is easy to see how situations like this result in dropping out of school and repeating the poverty cycle.
Generational poverty is much more difficult to erradicate.
Recent immigrants are willing to make tremendous sacrifices to help their children succeed. We need to create the conditions for this.