OK, so how would YOU change the welfare system?

[MathsMadMummy]

just wondering following on from various threads lately. sorry it's probably been done before.

I guess it's more a question of how you'd change the culture really, where people feel it's their entitlement to never work etc.

I have no idea what the answer is, please tell me your bright ideas

ffs

Thats an interesting view mamatomany, I have never really looked at it in that way. If there are no consequences to your actions then you really will feel you can do what you like. Make poor choices, the rich people down the road will pay for that, after all they have money and you dont! And someone earlier said that if we dont give people benefits they will go and steal the money. Well, mabe they wont, maybe they will think, OK, what am I going to do with my life, how can I improve things, how can I earn the things I want. Not all people who dont get what they want steal it....

A very close relative's stepson has recently got out of jail for attempted robbery in a shop. He already has a child at 17 to a girl that he barely knew, she then had to take a court order out as he was violent towards her although he claims she 'wound him up, and he wasnt getting enough sleep as the baby cried so much'. He has been asked why he had a child so young and stated that ALL his friends were doing it and he didnt want to be left out!!! The state is bending over backwards to help this chap, his solicitor says he got in with the wrong crowd, others have said he feels jealous of people who have what he doesnt, his mother didnt treat him very well and it goes on and on.. The state have also found him a job (if he turns up, apparently he doesnt like early mornings)Lucky him when there are others on the forum who dont find it easy to get a position.

'If there are no consequences to your actions then you really will feel you can do what you like. '

• exactly, I don't see how anyone can disagree with that.

And what I find myself returning to again and again, is that everyone seems in agreement with this principle when it comes to raising our children. We do our best to instil values in them. We don't let them go around hitting their siblings without a consequence. We teach them that in many situations there are a number of choices they can make, some good, some bad, and we reward the good choices and we provide sanctions for the bad. You play nicely with your siblings - you get positive attention. You hit them - you get time out, disapproval. So why is this all turned on its head as they approach adulthood? Screw up, make poor choices, oh never mind, the state will lavish thousands of pounds on you. Make positive choices - get good qualifications, go to University, don't get yourself pregnant with a child you can't afford, well, your reward is 20k of debt!

The welfare state has become so far removed from its original aim that its unrecognisable. It's no longer a safety net, it's ploughing money into keeeping people in a state of dependency.

This thread has been such an eye opener, seeing people's sense of entitlement. I mean, we even had a poster suggesting that opening mother and baby units would 'force young girls to have abortions'!!!!! So, if you get pregnant at 16, with no money and no job prospects, being given a place in a supported unit, where you'd have your own bedroom (and probably bathroom) and professionals on hand to support you in parenting.... not good enough eh? Only your own flat or house will do? Never mind that hundreds of thousands of 18-21 yr old University students have to manage in just a single room in a shared house and PAY THEIR OWN RENT TOO!! FFS no wonder the welfare state in this country has become a worldwide joke.

much research does suggest that people at the bottom of thepile dont vote. Politicos are aware of this and can largelyignore them compulsory voting would help. But itis not on the cards. so its stalemate. Very stale mate

This is a very long thread so I haven't read all of it but to answer the question. I would change the benefit buy somehow (don't ask me how it's not my job to impliment these things) make sure benefit money can only be spent on what it is intended for i.e. food, clothes, rent, gas, electric, water, basic furniture, reasonable travel expenses. It makes my blood boil that my taxes pay for people to go on holiday, have x boxes etc when I cannot afford these things myself despite living in a household where both adults work full time!

Violethill-I totally agree that the welfare state has become unrecognisable from its original intention-to be a safety net for people when they need it. Eg, if a couple lose their jobs and need support for themselves and their children until they are back on their feet. It should not be there for people to set out on a path knowing they can't afford to pay for it-eg, having kids when you can't even afford to look after yourself.

I don't mean to be rude but benefits must be too high if you 'had plenty of money left after paying bills and buying food'. Not a personal attach HRH-just an observation of the system when many people working full time are getting into debt just to get by with day to day living costs.

my son is very severly disabled and my neighbour from hell is jealous of the motability car we need for him.
she threw this in my face yesterday and said i do not see why you need one when he is taken to school everyday

suffice to say this is the last starw after 5 years of unwanted personal comments and i vow never to speak to her again