respect has to be earned, not given.

That depends if you think there is a problem with young mums on welfare. If you don't then they are on a level footing with everyone else. I suspect the very fact they are young mums on welfare is a cause for their critics in this thread to deny them respect.

Unless of course they farm their children out to a nursery and 'better' themselves. It all depends where you stand on farming children out. Personally I have more respect for the stay at home mother who raises her family then finds her working vocation when they are grown.

A lot of the mothers who can't wait to hand over their children to day care are not actually up to the job of child rearing them selves. It leaves them feeling guilty and inadequate and they kick back at any who choose the other route.