Poor lifestyle choices are dooming American children

I am empathetic to the situation teachers face as described in Carol Ring's recent commentary discussing the impact of poverty on teaching and learning. All jobs have factors outside our control, but teachers might have it the worst.

I believe the real problem however, is not poverty but related to lifestyles, values, home life, parenting or lack thereof.

Some people living in poverty view education as a way out and encourage their children to achieve. Many children are encouraged by no one, and the best teachers in the world cannot overcome that.

How ironic that a country that values tolerance and acceptance of all lifestyles is falling victim to the choices made by its citizens. Individuals cannot judge other individuals, but history will certainly judge us as a society.

We must examine and evaluate how or if government programs address this more basic problem that cannot be fixed by throwing money at it.

- Steve Shelby, Schererville