Worse, we'd look soft on criminals. We Americans believe in families taking care of children. Families should be taking care of their children. Government mustn't help them evade that responsibility. And so, behind our pretty notions of what ought to be, reality goes on.
Teens get pregnant.
Addicts go without treatment. Kids are routinely uncared for. The solutions fit the problems, but they don't fit our notions of what ought to be. Better to leave things as they are, and cling to our ideals. That way at least we can be comfortable.