THE HIDDEN CONSEQUENCE OF COMPASSION

Compassion, a wonderful virtue, has the potential for generating a troubling consequence. Recipients of a "compassionate government" can develop an infantilizing sense of entitlement--an addiction as lethal as drug dependence.
A patient with six children had been admitted to our psychiatric unit six times with post partum depression. I suggested she consider a tubal ligation. She replied, “I couldn’t do that. I need more money. Every time I have a baby I get a bigger government check.” Unearned gifts kill personal responsibility.