Here’s an example of the myth mistake:
A common response to intergenerational poverty is to scale back forms of direct aid to families — welfare, food stamps, etc. — that are frequently labeled as creating dependency. This position flies in opposition to the facts. Research shows that giving aid to a family increases the chances that a child will not continue to live in poverty as an adult. If we want to end intergenerational poverty in America, we should be giving families more aid — not less.
Note that the first sentence is the “myth”: that aid causes dependency. But at this point, we have just repeated the incorrect information and inadvertently reinforced it. Instead try this:
Making sure a family has what they need to thrive, including access to healthy food and affordable health care, increases the chances that a child be able to reach his or her full potential.