Value of Family America grew into a strong nation and eventually became the greatest country in the world due to the strong Christian values but those values were transmitted through the family and the church which formed a supporting family. They were also supported by the schools which reenforced those values. When Americans first went west, they left their family, schools, and churches behind. Life was untamed and brutal. However as families followed and began to be established, they built churches and schools which supported the family values and brought order to the West. Black people have had a hard time establishing themselves because of the past. Slave owners often divided families to allow them to train the children to be obedient slaves and prevent rebellion. After slaves were freed, Southern states enforced Jim Crow laws to deny Black men work so families were supported by the mothers. Without any experience in family living, Black men felt no reason to marry or any responsibility for their family if they married. While some are able to establish stable marriages, many have not been able to. Welfare has also contributed to the continued difficulty establishing stable families. Welfare rules required the husband leave the home so the wife could get help. While it primarily effected Black families because discrimination prevented men from getting good paying jobs, it also effected many poor Whites. By disrupting the family, it led to perpetuating poverty and has been the primary reason we have not been able to wipe out poverty.