to wonder why people are entitled when it comes to benefits and general life?

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It is becoming increasingly obvious, from threads here and conversations with people IRL, that quite a lot of people are so entitled. Obviously, everyone is anxious about the budget coming out on the 8th and what the proposed cuts will be, and so most of the talk has been revolving around benefits and the Tories (the party and those who voted for them). It is beyond frustrating how much entitlement there is in this country!

Firstly, there are people who have lots of children and then complain that the government doesn’t give them enough to feed their children. Well – the government (i.e. the taxpayer) had no part in having these children so should you not be grateful for whatever amount they do give you? I firmly believe that when you have children, they are your responsibility. This is where people say ‘Should it only be the rich that have children?’. No , just those who can afford children – if you can only afford one then stop at one. If you cannot afford any , without ANY state help, then do not have any. If you choose to have more children than you can afford to have, then you accept that you and your children will suffer as a result of your selfish decision. Yes, I totally understand that sometimes you can have children that you can afford and then life changes course; these are not the circumstances that I’m talking about. I’m talking about people who are struggling with the children they have (or don’t have) and then decide to have more. Someone will talk about contraception failing – which is rare- and even then you have choices; abortion, adoption, keep your children and struggle.

Second key area I have noticed is about housing. So many people argue that they shouldn’t have to move house ( to find a job or to be in a cheaper area) because they have family around or they grew up in a certain area. Absolutely you don’t have to move – if you can afford to stay where you are without state help! If you are relying on the state to help you and complaining about lack of jobs, then you will have to move somewhere cheaper. Plenty of people move. Family will still be family wherever you are.

Finally (well there’s a lot more but I realised I’ve typed a lot) , is regarding work. There quite a few people who absolutely believe that we shouldn’t have to work more than part-time because its not family friendly. On some threads, I have noticed people make snide comments about ‘ what a shame they live to work and not work to live’ and insinuate that these are bad people. They will bitch about these people and tear down people in highly-paid jobs but then turn around and demand more from them (in tax). My point being ; if you do not approve of full time work or highly paid jobs, why then do you want to take so much from these people who earnt the money doing what you don’t approve of?

This was mainly to vent because it is getting ridiculous and I didn’t want to shout at my friends and family (the ones who also behave this way). Apologies for any typos in the very long post !

I lovvvve mumsnet, all these anecdotes about benefit scroungers, cause you know everyone knows the incoming and outgoing cash of everyone on benefits.

Shame how serious economic research by the Joseph Rowntree foundation (which I have linked to before) proves that the culture of worklessness etc is a media myth. Shame that data from the DWP about the % of the work shy proves differently. Ahh, my dears, stop reading the Mail or other right wing press. Hike your judgey pants somewhere else and read the real economic data.

The real laugh is, cut benefits all you want, it will force some into low paid work, many into near enough absolute poverty. The tax cuts aren't coming your way if you don't earn £150k plus.

Keynes for the rich and corporations, Hayek for the poor. No one on mumsnet has given me an argument against that. Bring it on...

The OP wasn't even talking about disabled people or the cuts affecting them.
The OP has as some point stated this
It's a fucking cop out, to salve your wee consciences because you don't want to be told that disabled people are part of the benefits bill you want to cut. There's a thread on here about the ILF closing today, it's been lost already and yet this has got ten pages because you are too idle to think for yourselves, to realise what is happening, too blinkered. You've been brainwashed by the skiver/striver rhetoric, which also includes people with disabilities. We are included, our families, We carers, we are not others, we are suffering those cuts that you talk about. We are losing dla because the rules have changed, we have lost the Independent Living Fund, we are being forced in many cases to go on to JSA, which we then get sanctioned for because we're mentally ill, or have learning difficulties and don't understand the rules. You are further marginalising, happily. That's what's scary, the fact that you, OP and others are not incapable of seeing this, but you don't want to see it.

I work with the long term unemployed. The reality is that the vast majority have huge barriers to employment and are not simply lazy. Huge issues with literacy, no work experience, very low confidence and low self esteem, can't drive and transport doesn't fit around caring responsibilities, lack of jobs, lack of affordable childcare, and also persistent poor mental health. But, just lazy, no.

Well, Scarlettsmummy. Op and other closed minded judgemental people hAve heard that from the horses mouth now.

People aren't 'entitled', the problem is that you are stupid. I've noted several times in replies that you can't distinguish homophones, for example, so clearly you don't deserve to have a well paid job whilst more intelligent people are paid less. Why do you think you're entitled to get paid enough to live on when people who can write properly get paid less, eh?

Your original post is completely illogical, so hardly worth addressing. Firstly, over 70% of the UK population claim some kind of family related benefit, so the population would crash if all those people hadn't had children. Secondly, the main cost associated with children is preschool child-care- people can need assistance with that but then no longer need it when their children start school. Do you think only people who are able to produce fully formed 5-year-olds out of their foreheads should be allowed to have children, then? Thirdly, it's absolutely fucking beyond ridiculous to bitch on about people 'not asking for help from family' when you've just fucking said that people should move for work, you numpty. I'm sure my extended family would love to have helped me out with free childcare, if only I'd not had to move hundreds of miles away from them to get a full time job.

Please learn to shut your stupid gob until you have something intelligent to say, there's a dear.

Waits for delete (Though really, mumsnet should delete your OP as the hate speech it is)

I should add, that when I worked in the private sector as a recuiter earning mega bucks at the expense of the tax payer, charging the public sector a 35% margin for my services, I had similar right wing (totally judgemental and incorrect) views. However, five years of working in employability has been incredibly eye opening and I actually now have a huge amount of admiration for many of those I assist back into employment, because frankly it amazes me how many of them are even still alive, because I am not sure I would be as resilient if I had a similar story.

I posted the other night saying I love MN. I don't love THIS mn - I haven't rtft because it would make me feel ill and sad. As a pp said, what sort of person would grudge a £4 tax increase if it means fellow human beings having a safety net that offers minimal support and a chance of SOME human dignity? of course some people take the piss but most don't and to suggest that a trust in our society to not let any of us fall is 'entitled' makes me despair.
I want to strike back with statistics on the entitled rich and businesses who cost society hundreds of billions more than lose on benefits but here's no point - those with no hearts have no ears.

What always puzzles me about threads like this is the left leaning tend to get very aggressive. I noticed it during the election too. Lots of slanging matches and name calling and no real challenging of views.

Gosh OP please have a bit more compassion - you really never know what's around the corner.

I am about to have my 4th child and I'm terrified what the future will hold for me and my children.

I was unable to terminate the pregnancy and although it would break my heart I wonder if adoption would be a better option as I simply don't know how I will support my family.

I have moved away from my entire support network due to a violent, controlling husband who did not believe in contraception and to whom martial rape was a joke.

It took all my strength to escape this man and I am just trying to rebuild my children's lives. I have a good education, I have worked and paid tax but please tell me how I can support my children now? Perhaps I should have stayed with my abusive husband as so as not to burden the taxpayer.

Please don't think everyone who claims benefits is doing so by choice. I would do anything not to be in this situation but here I am. I am trying my best in the circumstances and you literally have no idea how terrified women like me are about the forthcoming cuts.

scarlettsmummy2. Thank you for your very welcome post. I've been very very poor and yes it was a terrible struggle. I so wish people would not judge and read stupid media reports, circumstances are different for all.

Totally agree on inheritance tax. You aren't allowed to earn a big wage on mumsnet by the way, totally like, not done.

But hamish's point is the biggie. Children all deserve a chance at life.

What always puzzles me about threads like this is the left leaning tend to get very aggressive. I noticed it during the election too. Lots of slanging matches and name calling and no real challenging of views.
What puzzles me is why the right aren't defending their views with regard to the withdrawal of the Independent Living Fund. As for aggression, those of us that are living the harsh reality of cuts and having to work an 18 hour day for 65 quid a week are probably feeling it.

I agree with scarlettsmummy too. there are huge barriers to employment.

No wanting to believe it when the evidence is staring me in the face.

I've asked several times on this thread why pensioners are so cosseted and protected when it's universally acknowledged going after the sick and disabled isn't on. But no one's answered me.

The cold facts are cuts need to be made and people need to be more self sufficient it's about bringing the idea of Community back into society and moving away from selfish isolation.

To the OP and those in agreement....my heart goes out to you all. I hope that life never throws you such a curve ball that causes your children to go without basics...whether your working all hours under the sun or are unable to because your health has failed. I hope your never in a situation where you have to ask for help however much the words stick in your throat. My heart goes out to you because if you ever fall from whatever gracious position your in, real life is going to hit you like a sledgehammer

Either wages need to rise for the poorest workers OR the cost of living in the UK (mainly housing costs) needs to fall considerably.

this country (and others) has bought into a strange myth, that scarcity of housing and raising prices are a good thing. they are not. if the price of anything else (food, computers, clothing) went up so fast there'd be riots. but house prices? it's good if it goes up!

the problem is that this government has an easy time selling this myth to people because the way many people advocate solving this problem here is through increasing housing benefit.

My 38 year old bil had a massive Stroke in March.
Then he had a brain haemorrhage.
He can no longer understand what words to use for things.
He is also having trouble reading and writing.
Prior to his brain trauma he was a self employed IT specialist and higher rate tax payer. Never been in receipt of any benefits.
My sister is currently trying to fill out the PIP forms.
It's soul destroying.

The cold facts are cuts need to be made and people need to be more self sufficient it's about bringing the idea of Community back into society and moving away from selfish isolation.
There are other places from which cuts could be made.
How do you suggest self sufficiency for people with disabilities? How would you suggest community help?

The thing is though that the site most people are directed to when questioning "entitlement" is called "entitled to"
Doesn't help with the stereotype at all.

We're in major shit street at the moment, me on zero hours contract where I Get used by people who don't want the crappy shifts, dp working so hard in the same job for over 18 years for crap money and just received a notice seeking possession on our housing association house as we're £700 in arrears, I'm on multiple tablets due to anxiety/depression and chronic illness and not "entitled" to any disability benefits.

I'm at absolute rock bottom, your op is insulting and you're clearly leading a charmed life. Good for you.
So many people on here are just keeping their heads above water as it is, can you begin to imagine how these cuts will affect them?
We need to look after our own citizens before helping others, sorry that's just how I feel. Rant over:)

Dawndonna I have seen your posts on MN for a while and think that you should be a government think tank, tbh. Good on you.

Haven't read the whole thread but I agree with

Don't have more children than you can afford - and expect to be funded by others. This includes paying for childcare.

Don't feel entitled to live in a certain area because you have friends and family there. Lots of people are forced to move to a new area for work reasons.

I don't agree with the points about PT work, simply because I think it would be better for society as a whole if more people had the option to work PT, men and women. Better for health and family life. If you're not materialistic this can be an option if you are prepared to move outside the SE.