80- kol hakavod to your children as they are the exception to the kollel rule in terms of not taking govt money.
Most older kollel families I know are living off of the US govt. While I truly believe in the kollel lifestyle (having B”H lived it for 15 years without any parental or govt support) the way it is currently done is not the correct way in my opinion.
The US govt does not have to pay between $1000-$1500 for a kollel families food and probably the same or more for both their insurance(Medicaid) and HUD. That is not what these programs are made for.
They are made for families where the parents are looking fr work but are unable to find it.
It should not be a way of life and certainly not a chossen and kallah’s plan on how they are going to live.
It should be a Bidi Eved and not a Lichatchila. And I say that for those that are on the programs legally and not the ones who are getting HUD for homes owned by relatives (which is totally illegal but very widespread)
What I really wonder is how many of these kollel couples would still be learning if all govt programs disappeared?
As for parental support – it is a beautiful thing to want to contribute to your child’s Torah learning but should not be expected.
If you want a life of kollel – you can prepare for it by getting an education and anticipating a lot of hard work.
I’m not saying that it s not worth it because it is but you shouldn’t expect to be able to do it by working a half day and having your summers free.
With the younger couples I would say that a lot more of the girls today are being responsible and going to college so that they can make it on their own.
Of course all is from Hashem – but we do have to do our hishtadlus!