[PapaBear3625]

The way taboos form is that certain behaviors impose unacceptable costs upon the members of the community. Right now, being on welfare does not impose a cost on the family and neighbors of the welfare recipient.

It would be very different if the cost of supporting each new welfare recipient was imposed as a special assessment on each of her neighbors in a one block radius. You would see some serious sanctions being imposed on her and her lifestyle at that point.

[SaraJohnson]

Excellent points. :)