Two people have made the news in recent months, offering an opportunity for society to glean valuable information that testifies to a reality: If personal responsibility is not demanded with consequences, it will not occur.
One is Desmond Hatchett, the Knoxville 33-year-old who has contributed his genetic material to 11 separate women and spawned 30 children. Nine of these children were born since 2009, according to newspaper reports.
His newsworthiness is due to his inability to provide child support to these children and the females in their lives. His repeated court appearances asking for a reduction in his financial burden in light of his minimum-wage job have focused on the meager effort he has made to support these children. Estimates in news stories indicate that some of these children may receive as little as $1.49 per month as their “support.”
When working, Hatchett is required to turn over 50 percent of his wages for child support — the maximum allowed under law.
The other individual is Angel Adams, a 39-year-old Tampa, Fla., woman reported to be pregnant with her 16th child, according to the Free Republic on May 9, 2012. Her 15 children are the products of liaisons with three different men.