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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

..to think that benefit programmes are here to stay?

33 replies

Tweezertastic · 18/05/2015 20:21

Just caught some programme about life on benefits. What's the appeal? I really don't get the appeal. I switched off but I think they are here to stay. Unfortunately.

OP posts:
Imachocolateportal · 18/05/2015 20:23

They will stay until people stop watching.

Unfortunately I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Grumpyoldblonde · 18/05/2015 20:26

If the ratings are good they will keep being shown - same with any programme. I am sure the people who watch will get bored/wise up eventually but until then...

treaclesoda · 18/05/2015 20:27

I watched an episode of Benefits Street once to see what the fuss was about. From what I'd read in the media I was led to believe that it was full of folk living the high life at someone else's expense. And when I watched it all I could think was how awful and depressing and lacking in hope most of their lives seemed to be. I still felt a bit dirty for watching it though. I've done my bit of working in crap low paid jobs and feeling that every day is a misery but I'd take that option any day over a life on benefits. I think most people would.

treaclesoda · 18/05/2015 20:29

Posted too soon.

But the whole set up of the programme seemed to be that we should dislike them for living this life that I'd never want anyway. Confused

welliesinthespring · 18/05/2015 20:30

No, I'm not sure they would if the money was about the same. The thing with low paid work is it isn't just the fact it is low pay - it's often anti social hours, hard physical work (standing or lifting) and gets little or no respect from others. It doesn't surprise me many decide they just can't face another day of it. I near enough had a nervous breakdown last summer due to it.

Pispcina · 18/05/2015 20:34

I think there is a bit of a trend for people to actually think it is their right to have cameras trained on people whom they see as 'scrounging from the state'.

I think for some people the idea of secret cameras in people's homes (people who receive benefit) isn't an outrageous one.

Of course the powers that be aren't going to discourage this.

treaclesoda · 18/05/2015 20:34

Yes, very true wellies, I probably didn't word that very well because I am actually very sympathetic to the fact that people find themselves so trapped, whether in or out of work.

LuisSuarezTeeth · 18/05/2015 20:34

They probably are here to stay.

Most unsavoury, the whole concept.

welliesinthespring · 18/05/2015 20:38

I think there's always been a 'trend' for people to scoff and pull faces and gasp at those less fortunate. Jeremy Kyle came about in 2005 IIRC - eight years into a Labour government. Wasn't Big Brother established in 2000? Both those shows have had their fair share of 'come laugh and gawp at the freaks.'

I don't feel the government have much to do with it, in terms of the media circus anyway. Benefits Street isn't a pleasant programme but equally I have seen assumptions on Educating Essex/The East End/Yorkshire that I don't much care for.

BettyCatKitten · 18/05/2015 21:02

Poverty porn
Human zoo
Very depressing, helps to detract from other more important issues.,,,

IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes · 18/05/2015 21:06

No different to any reality shows there seems to be no stone left un filmed but I draw the line at watching people watching tv, yes you google box

PtolemysNeedle · 18/05/2015 21:14

I don't think they'll last forever, they just haven't run their course yet.

Theknacktoflying · 18/05/2015 21:14

But then on the same channel are a bunch of awful individuals with more money than sense - just adding to the rich as%ole persona.

Let's not dorget about the thousands of programmes about dirt and hosekeepi g and looking for domestic staff

Showing people at their worst and underlining the stereotypes will always continue

Waltermittythesequel · 18/05/2015 21:17

I was just about to start a thread on this.

I just switched on Benefits Street to see what the fuss is. I got about three minutes into those two brothers screaming abuse down the phone and couldn't stomach it.

Do you think people watch it because it makes them feel better about their own lives?

Like that Jeremy Kyle meme; no matter how bad my life gets, at least I'll never be on Jeremy Kyle.

imwithspud · 18/05/2015 21:21

I watch these shows every now and then if there's nothing else on, I believe they're heavily edited to portray people in a certain way and get people talking and believing all the stereotypes surrounding benefits. I also agree that the people on these shows are far from living the 'high life', I don't understand how anyone can think they are after watching these shows because all I see is borderline poverty and run down, grotty homes. It seems like a pretty bleak way to live imo.

expatinscotland · 18/05/2015 21:24

I never watch them, but they appear to be here to stay.

imwithspud · 18/05/2015 21:24

Forgot to add I don't think these shows will run forever. 'Benefit Bashing' seems to be the fashionable thing to do at the moment and these shows are just milking/encouraging it. Before long something else will come along for people to point and laugh at.

nancy75 · 18/05/2015 21:26

Waltermittythesequel I think you have it right, I would guess there are a lot of people having a bit of a tough time and by watching these kind of shows they can think "at least my life isn't that bad"

notauniquename · 18/05/2015 22:01

I just caught a little of it.
I was expecting to be all riled up about it, but the "exhibits" in said "human zoo" actually all seem quit likeable.

I don't envy their life at all though!

SanityClause · 18/05/2015 22:16

Remember a few years ago, when the "human zoo" was all about travellers. That seems to have run its course, so hopefully this will, too.

LurkingHusband · 18/05/2015 22:44

It's scary to look back into the dystopian visions of their future, and see how close we are ... a numbed society entertained by human degradation.

flora717 · 19/05/2015 00:10

It's a hideous reflection on a society that people will calmly watch the effects of a callous and selfish grabby world to laugh over and indoctrinate another generation into gawping at the vulnerable end of society in a way reminiscent of freak shows. Not only this sickening glee in suffering but thinking there's no harm in children watching it. It's amazing how utterly detatched our sense of right and wrong now is.

LumpySpacedPrincess · 19/05/2015 07:41

They will be around for a while because they are serving a purpose.

Pispcina · 19/05/2015 07:56

I just want to clarify I have never watched any of this stuff, and never will, I'm only going on reports I have read from others who've seen these programmes.

I never watch JK either - I think I saw one episode about 10 years ago and never, ever again. It makes me feel sick. I truly do not understand how anyone CAN enjoy watching it or even put up with it being on in the background. It's appalling.

TheoriginalLEM · 19/05/2015 08:03

What purpose is that Lumpy?