You either didn't see the word "working" Dad AND Mom, or think that all poor folks are leaches with no ambition to be better off than they are. Too bad for you. You need to get out more?
As far as earned income credit and deductions.....the money saved/received isn't as much as you may think and certainly doesn't do much to the expense(s) of child rearing. Which, by the way, is not an expense seniors have to bear. So again....where's the justification for allowing seniors to escape? For your information the exemption also includes the house and up to five acres, and wealth is NOT a factor. In other words, old Mr. Jones, gets the exemption if he makes/draws less than Thirtyfive K after medical expenses anually EVEN if he has Three Million in the Bank....AND to top all that, Old Man Jones gets to vote on taxes he's not liable for.
Look there are no easy answers, but there are a lot of inequities out there, and there are a lot of misconceptions. Poverty is not always a clear choice.....especially in today's market.