The child poverty rate in the us. Is much higher than many other rich countries. Why do you think that is? Well, part of it is the way we spend money. There are substantial penalties in our safety net system for individuals who might get married. And guess what? Incentives have an impact, and so people don't get married. It's been said that older people have better aid programmes because theyr a big voting block. Children haven't been as well protected because babies don't vote.