Message board: Share your thoughts on the Globe series Barbara's Story
In Barbara's Story, Globe reporter Patricia Wen and photographer Suzanne Kreiter told the story of Barbara Paul, a Boston-area woman forced to relinquish parental rights to her two sons after the state Department of Social Services determined she was an unfit mother. Share your reactions to the series and your thoughts on Paul's situation.
Read the series
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Are we supposed to feel sorry for someone that can find the energy to date some guy, but can't find the energy to take care of her children? Please write a story about someone that works hard every day to make sure their kids are fed, safe, healthy and happy.
JT, Andover, MA
It amazes me that a 22-year old was in charge of the case. Why is it that people so young, who really have no understanding of life, are the decision makers when it comes to removing children? I knew someone very well who worked for DSS in Massachusetts, and when he worked there he was only 22 as well. All of his co-workers were in the age range of 22 - 26. These people themselves are still children. They can't even rent a car! What a joke!
Jeff, Austin TX
It was a very touching, emmotional and disturbing situation. I am a single mother and a mother of two, and had been through a lot in my life but have succeed with a lot of hard work and even tough I have financial stugles, I could not see myself giving up my children. I believe that Barbara did what was best for her children but she tried, and she did her best with what she knew. For those that have not encountered hard times it will probably be hard to identify, but I understood her pain and she actually won, because in the end all she wanted was what was best for ther children.
Maria M., Medford
This series relates a very sad story. It remains to be seen how this whole thing will turn out for the kids. I think it points out that DSS is overloaded, and as a result it seems like too many things are falling through the cracks. The morality of whether or not it is right for the government to break up families is entirely open to debate.
Lance Gill, Revere
I loved this article as it was very descriptive and detailed. I actually felt as though I was there. It was also very touching. You should think about writing a novel!
tom, cambridge
I think it's disgusting that DSS didn't do more to help Barbara with her children rather than removing them from her care. What about subsidized housing for her and the children? What about job placement agencies to help Barbara? There are so many resources available to help people. DSS should have offered more resources to Barbara. Why couldn't they have offered resources to help Barbara with hygiene for the boys and personal cleanliness with her home and herself? Depression is treatable. I could see if she was an alcoholic or drug addict and was beating the boys of if the children were in total dire straits. I think it would have saved the taxpayers much more money than taking the boys away from her. This story disgusted me. My heart goes out to Barbara. The DSS system or "The Leash" as Barbara and her boys called it are truly homewreckers in my opinion. I think more could have been done to help her. Barbara you have my full support. You were in a situation where your hands were tied and you were held hostage by a vicious agency. Your boys will always be yours, regardless of where they physically live. The couple who adopted them may be able to provide materialistic objects for the boys but you gave them your all, your genuine motherly love and they knew that. It was evident by their reaction of being removed from your care. Now, and in the as they grow up into adults, their loyalties and true parental love will be with you. Don't let anyone stop you from declaring your allegiance to your children.
Kim, Boston
A very sad story, well written and it is obvious that this woman needed much more help than she received from our system. I could not help feeling that the boys were better off with their new family, but it perhaps could have been avoided.
Rita Fleming, Merrimac
This story was gripping and I feel so bad for Barbara but happy for the boys who have a shot at a little normalcy in their lives. I think Anne and Jim are rare jewels - it's too bad there are not more like them in the world.
Deirdre, Braintree
AT LAST THE STATE DID SOMETHING RIGHT ADMITTEDLY A BIT LATE. BARBARA HAD WAY TOO MANY CHANCES. HOW CAN A MOTHER LET HER CHILDERN GO HUNGRY OR FAIL TO PROVIDE DENTAL CARE? WHAT A SHAME A BOY HAS TO WAIT UNTIL 15 YEARS OLD TO HAVE A CLEAN BED AND A MEAL AT THE TABLE.
LEE MARIAN, WORCESTER
Barbara has given Joe and Art the greatest gift any parent could ~the opportunity to thrive. What a truly brave woman she is to have done this. My heart aches for her loss.
Paula, Magnolia
