I think as a society we went through that discussion when those programs were introduced and were made not cash-based.<p>99% of the recipients will probably do what&#x27;s best for their kids, but due to the remaining 1% (who might struggle with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, abusive relationship where cash might be taken away, etc.) the programs are not cash-based.<p>With that said, a bunch of countries with demographic problems have instituted cash-based payments for children (Russia and Ukraine come to mind) with reasonable success and limited stories of abuse.