Free and Reduced Lunches

I believe in helping children. . . I really do.  I also believe in TEACHING children.  The problem I have seen with free and reduced lunches is that students begin to take things for granted.  When students get something for nothing the fail to see the value of the product.  Many people wonder what is wrong with education today.  Well, one of those things is that the students have no motivation to do well in school.  Well at least in the lower economic areas, what are the students learning?  If they don't get a job, they will get free food (food stamps) and free health care (can't turn people away).  Free and reduced lunch just gives them a preview of that.  What about parent responsibility?  What is motivating those parents to take care of their children?  They don't have to, the schools are providing their breakfasts and lunches.  

Now, I know there are families that are really struggling to provide for their family and they are really trying to do all they can but they just can't make ends meet.  In those cases, free and reduced lunches, free breakfasts, food stamps, and free health care are very helpful for those families until they can finally get ahead.  The problem is that those programs reward people who aren't doing their fair share in society and punishing those who are doing all they can and more.  

I just feel like there needs to be more accountability.  I read a historical fiction book that took place during WWII.  A boy was attending a private school but his parents couldn't afford the tuition.  The boy received a scholarship from the institution so he could attend.  Part of that scholarship he was he was to help in the cafeteria during lunch.  In other words, he had to work for that scholarship.  Now, I have mentioned that to others and they said that it wasn't fair that the student had to suffer because the parents couldn't afford the tuition.  Well, the boy in the story didn't really complain about it.  In fact, in my opinion, it taught the boy the value of a good education.  He was going to value his education because he had to work for it.  He wasn't going to slack off on his school work.  

I just feel there needs to be more accountability for the students and the parents.