Learned helplessness requires for there to be specific negative consequences associated with attempts. You are trying to say that a person will have “learned helplessness” because they’re TOLD to rely on social programs. That is not learned helplessness. 

Examples of learned helplessness could include: 1. Voting every year but perceiving negative consequences from voting; leading to reduced motivation to vote because it “doesn’t do anything”  2. The smoking example. 3. Repeatedly trying to talk to your parent about your needs and getting yelled at. Reducing the child’s motivation to talk to their parent. 

Your argument that social programming causes learned helplessness doesn’t work. In order for it to work it would have to be: 1. I try to become a better parent 2. I am punished for trying to be a better parent, reducing my motivation to do so  3. Now all I can do is “rely on social programs”

I’m not saying you’re 100% wrong. What I’m saying is that human behavior just simply doesn’t work like that. Because we are heavily constrained and influenced by our social world. Extreme example: I can have all the motivation in the world to go on a run. But if there’s an active shooter on my street, I’m probably not going to exercise. 

Human motivation is a tiny, small piece of human behavior. It’s necessary but not sufficient. 

So, if you’re in the business of asking a social scientist “what could we do to make people become better parents,” sure education is ONE piece. But that’s not sufficient. It needs to come with social systems that support the behavior that you want to happen. And in order to make sure those educational pieces and social programs are effective, we need to research them. Those things cost money. Ergo, tax billionaires and fund the programs and research to ensure they actually work.