It's the idea that since the child's parents were also born into poverty, that it's not the parents' fault that they behave irresponsibly, and that by punishing the parents, you increase the likelihood that this child will grow up to be irresponsible as well, and the cycle will continue to repeat itself.

Basically, it means that they should get a free pass since they already suffered enough. The problem with this of course is that it creates two classes of people in society-those who can follow common sense laws and those who get a free pass to do whatever they want because they are apparently incapable of determining right from wrong.