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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that if you're planning* on taking Child Benefit away...

51 replies

multivac · 19/10/2015 13:26

...from vulnerable families who don't make use of their local Sure Start centre, you should probably start by not closing down all the Sure Start centres?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/18/no-pre-school-no-child-benefit-tory-thinktank-says-in-report-on-poverty

*NB I realise this is not a proposed Tory policy, nor something that is ever likely to get past the 'think tank' stage. It is, however, a demonstration of Tory thinking.

OP posts:
NeedsAsockamnesty · 19/10/2015 17:16

Christ alive some areas are having enough trouble getting kids in for the current 15 hours and these are kids from families who want them to go

Pohtaytoh · 19/10/2015 17:19

It is a proposal by a think tank, it most certainly isn't policy and I may be wrong but I don't see any indication of the government paying any mind to this suggestion.

But don't let me stop you from your 'fuck the tories' kneejerk response

Efferlunt · 19/10/2015 17:26

Wonder if we will eventually end up like some Scandinavian countries were being a SAHM is considered a bit odd and you are heavily encouraged to put them in childcare as early as possible.

northernsoul78 · 19/10/2015 17:31

30 hours free childcare only applies if you both work so clearly thinktank thinks sahp don't deserve child benefit. Fab

megletthesecond · 19/10/2015 17:40

this is a 2008 BBC link, but it explains the think-tank basics. Can't search for more links because I'm making tea.

Jux · 19/10/2015 17:43

Oh, I see where we're going. All babies will be removed at birth and brought up in state run creches.

The Tories are the people who read 1984 and thought Winston Smith was the bad guy.

PosterEh · 19/10/2015 17:47

I think think-tanks exist to think up horrible new policies so that when the govt comes out with slightly less horrible policies they look like the good guys.

NewLife4Me · 19/10/2015 17:48

Efferlunt

I think it could end up much worse tbh and sahm becoming the norm.
There is no way the gov are going to fund 30 hours free childcare they don't like working mothers. It's not what they stand for.
There are going to be a lot of Tory voters mighty upset soon.

StrawberryTeaLeaf · 19/10/2015 18:19

The Tories are the people who read 1984 and thought Winston Smith was the bad guy. Grin

formerbabe · 19/10/2015 18:25

I think it could end up much worse tbh and sahm becoming the norm

No way...like another poster said I see it going the other way. Being a sahm will be considered odd. Let's not forget their 'hard working families' line! I see the pushing of mothers to work as grossly undermining motherhood. It makes me so angry.

NewLife4Me · 19/10/2015 18:25

I had never read 1984 before, only recently.
My dh suggested I read it and I still haven't read much of it, but already I'm wondering it isn't just the Tory Manifesto.

Grazia1984 · 19/10/2015 18:28

1984 is about socialism. It is the opposite of the Tories.

NewLife4Me · 19/10/2015 18:28

formerbabe

I'm really not so sure but I'm cynical and think they are making it much harder and for more women than present it will be impossible.
It was like this with past Tory governments, I suppose it depends how progressive they are, but I'm not holding my breathe for the 30 free hours childcare.

StrawberryTeaLeaf · 19/10/2015 18:32

I think Jux's point was about state control, conformity and individualism, wasn't it?

Some basic history lessons wouldn't go amiss at Tory HQ. They don't seem to remember what it is they usually claim to stand for.

NewLife4Me · 19/10/2015 18:33

Grazia
I have no idea what I'm on about, well can't describe anyway.
Just ignore me.

Efferlunt · 19/10/2015 18:34

Yes tories are odd re mothers working. there is certainly an old guard who don't approve of it and another which seems to be really keen to support it. It's the same with the big society where they want everyone in work but also loads of volunteering going on - the type of things that would probably have been done by housewives in earlier eras. They don't seem to get that you can't have it both ways.

ilovechristmas123 · 19/10/2015 19:17

im so glad 2 of mine are in college and the 3rd will be in secondary in a couple of years

its seems to be getting harder and harder to parent and have a family life etc

Jux · 20/10/2015 08:10

Strawberry gets the cigar!

Jux · 20/10/2015 08:13

It doesn't really matter whether GO imagined it to be the reds behaving like this with power, what matters is that this is what he imagined happens when you get a gov without a conscience, whatever colour tie.

LineyReborn · 20/10/2015 12:03

The 38 Degrees campaign has a lot of support.

NightLark · 21/10/2015 15:40

1984 was about totalitarianism, not socialism
"Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it.[16]"(Wikipedia quoting Orwell on totalitarianism)

lostInTheWash · 21/10/2015 15:59

It's the same with the big society where they want everyone in work but also loads of volunteering going on - the type of things that would probably have been done by housewives in earlier eras. They don't seem to get that you can't have it both ways.

^^ THIS - I always wondered wtf they were thinking.

Mind you it's not different to modern motherhood really.

We are supposed to work really (especially with school aged DC ) but also be around at drop of a hat for school events, meetings, around to support the school volunteering and money raising and provide additional academic support to our DC. All while fulfilling all our other roles - wives, employees, daughters and so on but not be tired worn out or stressed.

Grazia1984 · 21/10/2015 17:04

Thankfully those of us who don't tolerate sexist men see that kind of activity as something shared with a spouse. Men do their bit today and indeed 30 years ago did. Never tolerate a sexist man even for a day. Feminism rules.

lostInTheWash · 21/10/2015 18:11

I find it isn't my DH that is the issue.

It's every bugger else.

I got told off by a nurse in A&E once for not supervising my DC. I was upstairs having a shower. He was being supervised by the male who provided 50% of his genetics and was a joint decision maker in the whole let's have this DC - a completely competent adult just not me the mother.

Interestingly the nurse was female. As was the school receptionist who always wanted me to drop everything and bring/collect random crap - never their Dad who mobile number they had.

I have many female family members who talks about DH babysitting his DC when I go out as well. Hmm.

DH turns up to school stuff as it's all gushing isn't it great he takes an interest - wtf - their his kids - I've had that from female teachers too - it's expected of me and when I can't I've had comments that make me feel like a crap mother.

Societal expectations of motherhood I encounter are not my fault or a product of the man I chose to be with.

HelenaDove · 22/10/2015 02:44

Great point lost in the wash. I wince when i hear the "babysit" when it applies to the father of the child and i dont have DC.