To think that people living on welfare shouldn't be running off every five minutes for a new tattoo or piercing?

[allfurcoatandnoknickers1]

I'm probably going to get shot down for this, but I just had a little disagreement with a woman I know. She posted a photo on Facebook of a rather large tattoo on her forearm that she'd just had done. Last month she had skin divers put in her chest and hand. The month before she had another shit tattoo.
This individual is single and has two children. She hasn't worked a day in the last decade, but is living off the state. Am I being a bitch by thinking she should spend the money she receives on feeding the children and keeping a roof over their heads? I noted that she feeds her boys Pot Noodle for dinner but makes sure she's got her fags too. It just annoys me.

"Whether someone is on £50k a year or on benefits, a shit parent is a shit parent"- is undisputable; however, the fully funded shit parent isn't calling on the public purse, the other is.

So it's not about the welfare of the kids at all going by that statement, it's about being pissed off that someone on benefits is being a shit parent rather than caring about kids being neglected in any walk of life. I rest my case.

I agree with you too, OP, but you are on a hiding to nothing here, I'm afraid. Rather than actually think about what you posted, so many here just start drivelling on about pot noodles and goats (for God's sake, give the goat references a rest, it was hardly entertaining the first time it was trotted out (see what I did there?) but it really is just worn out and dull now). I am completely in agreement with those who are experiencing hard times being supported during their time of need, but I too would be highly unimpressed with someone who prioritised tattoos over her children's needs. There are, however, some very chipped shoulders on here, who don't seem able to take part in a sensible discussion where benefits are concerned, without resorting to insults and stupid references

Blimey, I am on benefits as DS is autistic, I get extra benefits because of this. I still couldn't afford to spend £165 on a tattoo...and I only have the one child.'

So do you think a person who does should be shot? The OP does.

Hell no....what she does with her benefits is up to her ...but I can't see how she gets anywhere near enough to pay that amount of cash for a tattoo.

I guess reporting her to SS isn't as fulfilling as a good ol' bitch fest on the internet with some fat-shaming and murder threats thrown in for good measure.

I would be interested how many of those who are mocking the OP actually have experience of ever being on benefits.

I was once, it was not always fun.

In that time I made sure we went out everyday, ate lovely home cooked meals (time was a luxury I definitely had) and went to every surestart/ college/ cheap baby toddler freebie course going. My baby looked beautiful- I did not. I remember having 3 inch roots, poundland orange foundation and holes in my primark leggings (no joke unfortunately ) I also applied for every job I could until I got another and scrimped every bit of money I had for interview clothes.

My point is, I didn't have money for shit tattoos. I could potentially have had money for tattoos if I'd not paid my electricity, or dressed my baby in scruffy clothes or bought shit unhealthy food for us both. It's not sneering to think it's wrong other people might do this. The children of people who did who have commented on here suggest it isn't a joke to them. Too many excuses given to feckless adults once more under the guise of thin jokes/ overused stupid goat cliches on here.

I'm a single Mum and yes I've been on benefits and yes I've been vilified for sponging but people are so quick to assume aren't they. I remember one morning I dropped dd off at school and an evil baggage was talking about me to her just as evil crony, I went back home and cried. These women didn't know my circumstances they relied on assumptions and gossip to put me down.

'I too would be highly unimpressed with someone who prioritised tattoos over her children's needs. There are, however, some very chipped shoulders on here, who don't seem able to take part in a sensible discussion where benefits are concerned, without resorting to insults and stupid references hmm'

What's the 'sensible discussion'? If you believe a child is being neglected, you report the parent to the authorities. The benefits have been capped. If a child is being neglected, you report it.

I am happy to have a discussion about benefits sooty.
We can talk about how the cuts to disability benefits are driving people to suicide.
How more and more people are having to use food banks.
How universal credit will have a dramatic affect on those in financially abusive relationships.

What i wont do is discuss some women i dont know who has been called fat,lazy and should be shot on how she should spend her money. Thats not a discussion thats thd OP researching for a new channel 5 show.

Maybe I should be shot too then. I work part time and get tax credits and I'm tattooed. My son has everything he wants and I rarely buy stuff for myself. I'm due a tax rebate of £135 and that's going on my new tattoo. Oh and 'shock horror' my son has swimming lessons ANdD enjoys a pot noodle now and again! I'll get the gun shall I?
Not sure what you expected to get from posting this thread tbh

What I find really strange about threads on benefits is that any suggestion that some people take the piss on benefits is shouted down as being brainwashed by the Daily Mail.
So if the Daily Mail stereotype of chavvy, workshy, lack of ambition, fake disability , spending money on Big screen TV show, fans and tattoo, benefit claimant is a myth and a construct by right wing newspapers, then it stands to reason that some posters constant claims of the standard deserving benefit claimant is a myth as well.
I find it hard to believe that every irresponsible, had more kids than she has any business having, no education, no viable work history, feeds her children crap mum is a completely virtuous innocent victim fleeing domestic violence. Very often these women have contributed to their deprived position by forming relationships and trapping themselves with children to unsuitable, violent feckless men. Any one can make a mistake with one child. These women have numerous always to violent men. Always in a cycle to escaping some kind of abuse. No attempt to better themselves because, you know, the children. Takes up too much time and energy.
And before anyone piles in with what about the men. Yes the men are equally useless but the men don't usually have residence of the children and are thus entitled to much less benefits if any at all

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

You all want so badly for this to be a post about knocking people on benefits. But it's not. It's a post about twats who get shit tattoos paid for with the money given to them to feed and clothe their kids

I have a friend who struggles in life...she is not on benefits but regularly runs out of cash because they don't budget. She then struggles to pay for other things like the school swimming lessons etc. Would you be irritated by her....or just if she was on benefits?

The point I am making is that sometimes people make stupid decisions...benefits or not. The benefits are irrelevant, the decision to spend the money on a crap tattoo instead of feeding children/ paying for swimming lessons etc are the major points.

My friend is currently going mad with toothache...but refusing to attend the dentist because that will cost her a small fee. Yet at the weekend the family had enough cash to go out for an evening meal. People make silly decisions sometimes.

you get enough money to survive on. To pay your rent, gas, electric, tv licence, and to eat. And that's it
TantrumsandBalloons, do you realise that a lot of people work and the money they get in return for the best part of 5 days a week for 40+ years only amounts to the above? What you and your DH got on benefits? Only you had all the time to yourself.

OP, YANBU. I think food stamps are the way to go. And child benefit should be administered by schools so you don't get kids on free school meals going to school in flimsy shoes (think ballet pumps for girls) in the middle of the winter, while tattooed mum with fag hanging out of her mouth waits at the school gates with a McDo bag in her hand.

Sorry guys, the truth is the truth.

If being on benefits is as great as a lot of people seem to think, maybe you should all quit work and see how much fun it really is.

Pot Noodles? My DS has just discovered that they do a "Mac n Cheese one Mum".

Yes there is now one in the cupboard..the other one he are earlier. I am here to tell you all it tastes disgusting

Cook a nutritious meal

Worn out and dull that's me.

How do you know if somebody is on benefits or not, if they do not volunteer information you don't know anything

Not really, no. More of an acquaintance. I am, however, friends with her twin sister who is always saying how her twin is a scrounger, lazy, work shy etc.

So why don't you just delete? Or hide her feed? Chances are she already has your feed hidden if she doesn't comment much on yours for example.

My friend is also on benefits because her husband is on a low income, but would never dream of spending her cash on shit tattoos instead of feeding her children.

If your friend is on benefits because of her DHs low wage. Then that's the DHs employers fault for not paying him enough. Not because some random woman on facebook had a tattoo.

You all want so badly for this to be a post about knocking people on benefits. But it's not. It's a post about twats who get shit tattoos paid for with the money given to them to feed and clothe their kids. Projecting, much? Feeling guilty about the crap body art paid for by people who work?

It's not though is it? People have given you sensible answers and many have agreed with you. But if you're going to post on AIBU - don't expect people to agree with you. Even if you were talking about something other than benefits you wouldn't get 100% YNBUs back. I'm not projecting as I don't have any tattoos. I also dont smoke or drink. Apart from one glass on new years eve (I'm doped up on painkillers & other meds the rest of the year).

Thanks Iona, I worked for 30 yrs before going onto benefits. Thank you but I would much rather shop around and get the best value than use food stamps. Generally my child eats very well....the occasional disgusting Pot Noodle notwithstanding....but he is a teenager.

I have no tattoos and don't smoke...but if I did it would be none of your business.

I'm a lone parent, yes I'm on benefits.
I've learnt to be bloody good with money and make a £1 stretch for food for however many days. Some weeks are awful and we get help from the local food bank. And then the next month we could have enough spare for me to put money into our savings accounts (one for me and one for my child) but I suppose that's wrong too. Cause I shouldn't have anything left over ever.

It's pretty crappy parenting to be spending vety limited household income on tattoos instead of swimming lessons and healthy food if that's what's happening. I guess the source of income isn't really relevant. I don't think anyone should be getting a bullet for it though. We are probably all guilty of crap parenting in our own ways at times.

Very often these women have contributed to their deprived position by forming relationships and trapping themselves with children to unsuitable, violent feckless men.

Women have contributed towards their domestic violence relationships?

Can't believe people eat pot noodles with ketchup?! What is wrong with you?!