Firstly I know there has been a number of 'benefit' related threads over the past week so I apologise for adding another to the mix BUT the threads have got me thinking...
Surely the term 'benefits' is misleading and adds to the (often misguided) ill feeling some people have towards those who claim them. The word benefit would normally refer to something that you are getting over and above the norm- friends with benefits, work benefits (such as a bonus or private nedical care in addition to your normal salary). So when you talk about someone 'on benefits' the immediate feeling could be - hang on, this person is getting MORE than me. Even though many 'benefits' are received because there is some part of that persons life that prevents them from carrying on as normal
My friend always knew the career he wanted to follow, he left school and trained in this area for this specific role and then bam, he was hit by a metaphorical bus which changed the course of his life forever. He now receives a variety of benefits and he says to him they are more of a consolation prize, sort of like 'sorry you can't live your life as you planned, but here have this money and and try and get on with your life as best as you can'. That is just his feeling and apologies if that offends anyone but i share this as a way of trying to explain my opinion that for many who claim benefits, they aren't a benefit at all, just a way of helping them lead their lives as people uneffected by disability or misfortune (short or long term)
I realise there are a few who do claim and treat benefits as a benefit i know one myself who is thankfully currently being investigated but for the majority of people receiving them, they are a welcome help not a benefit.
So i guess my AIBU is am i being unreasonable to suggest there is a better term than benefits?