AIBU to say that summer hols are a driver of inequality

[Teaandcrisps]

Myself and OH have had mixed personal fortune over the last 10 years - so from personal experience know the difference.

Summer holidays with no money is shit - especially when the weather is crap. If you can afford it however, it's great fun.

It's not just the obvious things - summer hols, trips, activities, camps, increase in food costs; it's also if you have the kind of job that can give you time off.

Given that food bank have launched the holiday hunger campaign, AIBU to say that summer holidays is an unequal construct and the 6-weeks off needs to go.

And better statutory holidays please! Then maybe parents who work might be able to enjoy some more time with their children during the long holidays.

God no, I’d rather my ds had more time off, the whole summer would be amazing. 2 weekends at Christmas, few days for Easter. I also support the idea for a later start once they’re teenagers (10/11am) Then again I also think a basic curriculum up to age 16 would be better, then choices for exams. Sit GCSEs at 18, It’s all too much too young and wasted education on uninterested teenagers in my opinion

If schools were to stay open longer that would mean

• more money needed for staff (teachers,TAs,office staff,cleaners,caretaker etc) *more money needed for resources (books,pens,glues etc) *more money on water and electricity *no time for major works,repairs,maintenance

Where are the funds supposed to come for all of this? And if there are funds available,why aren't they being used instead to offer affordable childcare? Because the government doesn't give a shit and people expect schools to be everything and cover all the gaps, instead of putting the blame where it lies.

I have to agree with jaffa it's all too much too young.

There is inequality in life that's just life, there will always be people with more and people with less. What we need to achieve is for the people with less to still be able to live comfortably to feed their kids, pay their bills and have a little extra to live.

We should be raising the minimum expectation to allow this not finding ways to drag down the others.

Children should have the time to play not be chained to a desk for even longer than they are now.

I have to agree with jaffa it's all too much too young.

There is inequality in life that's just life, there will always be people with more and people with less. What we need to achieve is for the people with less to still be able to live comfortably to feed their kids, pay their bills and have a little extra to live.

We should be raising the minimum expectation to allow this not finding ways to drag down the others.

Children should have the time to play not be chained to a desk for even longer than they are now.

Ok, maybe this is not a wise question to ask but...

If people who don't work and take benefits are financially better off, then why would you take such a badly paid job? At some point people need to unionize and stop taking these exploitative jobs. I know it may not be the preferred option, but if you are financially worse off by working such a bad job it almost seems unethical to do it and put your children through the financial strain of not being able to eat because of childcare costs. I would say to these people (and I take no benefits) leave the bad job, and take benefits if it puts you in a better financial spot. That might not be the puritan thing to do, but I think it's more realistic.

Just to clarify, I only mean to leave your job if your job is financially worse than claiming benefits.

No way teachers and students need a proper mental break from the intensity of term time.

If people who don't work and take benefits are financially better off, then why would you take such a badly paid job? At some point people need to unionize and stop taking these exploitative jobs. I know it may not be the preferred option, but if you are financially worse off by working such a bad job it almost seems unethical to do it and put your children through the financial strain of not being able to eat because of childcare costs. I would say to these people (and I take no benefits) leave the bad job, and take benefits if it puts you in a better financial spot. That might not be the puritan thing to do, but I think it's more realistic.

Because people are sanctioned on benefits if they leave a job willingly without good reason, and are also sanctioned if they don't take a job (even if they end up in the shit financially).

Because people are sanctioned on benefits if they leave a job willingly without good reason, and are also sanctioned if they don't take a job (even if they end up in the shit financially).

Wow, that's horrible. I think that makes it easier for workers to be exploited with low wages. That's something I think should change.

Just to clarify, I only mean to leave your job if your job is financially worse than claiming benefits.

I have never-thankfully- needed to claim benefits but years ago when a friend left his job, he wasn’t entitled to any form of tax credits as he had voluntarily left a role.

I would imagine universal credit is even worse and you will be expected to prove you are applying to jobs and willing to take anything.

I don’t imagine it’s as simple as walking out of a crap job and living off loads of benefits.

Ah me, I cant help but feel sadness that the needs of the most vulnerable are being overtaken and not heard.

I'm off to bed now, however thankyou to you beautiful people for conversation, perspective and dialogue.

I have discovered a passion for childrens summer equality that I didn't know I had until this.morning!

Along the way, I have also understood differing perspective (that has confirmed I'm right btw) and the value of AIBU as a brilliant forum. MN I salute you (until.tomorrow morning when the gloves are off!)

Lets continue to sort this out.x

Wow, that's horrible. I think that makes it easier for workers to be exploited with low wages. That's something I think should change.

I don't mean to be rude, but have you not seen any of the press coverage, or threads on here, about the welfare 'reforms'? The idea that people can just quit work and claim benefits is pretty much a myth now.

Even if people did leave and weren't sanctioned do you realise there is a waiting period of 5 weeks (assuming no delays) for Universal Credit where they get nothing?

They can apply for an advance, but that has to be paid back a rate chosen by UC and can actually leave people short week to week thereafter.

@Ciara1234456 what is it with teachers needing a break more than other employees? I’m in a stressful job and often work weekends/ checking emails all the time, writing reports/ deadlines What’s the difference? It’s just work no?

(that has confirmed I'm right btw)

Always nice when someone goady confirms that is their aim.

Along the way, I have also understood differing perspective (that has confirmed I'm right btw

. I wonder if you’ve understood anything anyone has said to you!

Good luck banging this particular drum-it will never happen.

I don't mean to be rude, but have you not seen any of the press coverage, or threads on here, about the welfare 'reforms'? The idea that people can just quit work and claim benefits is pretty much a myth now.

I have lived in the UK for many years now but we have never claimed anything during that time. So I've never actually had the experience of applying or anything. I didn't expect people to just quit, but my thought is more about the interview process... Are these companies mandated to take people on benefits? For example, if someone went to the interview and purposely ruined it (without it being provable, such as one word answers to questions or other wrong remarks), does the company have to hire them? I just wonder and think it must be possible to sabotage the process?

They can apply for an advance, but that has to be paid back a rate chosen by UC and can actually leave people short week to week thereafter.

I don't doubt it must be extremely difficult but if you come out financially worse by taking the job then I still can't understand the system. I understand that people are forced, but I think the system is wrong. IMO those jobs should be forced to pay a decent wage and should not have masses of a labour pool subsidised for them.

Pamplemoussecat, there are about 20 million threads on this topic if you want to get opinions on that point. But, rightly or wrongly, remove the longer holidays from teaching and watch the recruitment and retention rates plummet...

I have lived in the UK for many years now but we have never claimed anything during that time. So I've never actually had the experience of applying or anything. I didn't expect people to just quit, but my thought is more about the interview process... Are these companies mandated to take people on benefits? For example, if someone went to the interview and purposely ruined it (without it being provable, such as one word answers to questions or other wrong remarks), does the company have to hire them? I just wonder and think it must be possible to sabotage the process?

If you aren't working hard enough to get a job you'll get sanctioned.

After a certain time on benefits you'll be sent on courses - a friend of mine who is an English graduate was sent on a basic literacy course. Again if you don't go you can be sanctioned.

You can also be sent on work programmes to get 'experience'. So you'll be sent to a nursery, or Tesco, or another big business for 3 or 6 months. You'll get paid your £73 a week jobseekers allowance while you work there.

It's not as easy as just sabotaging it and waiting for the next one to come along, particularly because the next one can often be zero hours/shit pay/shit conditions just the same.

I don't doubt it must be extremely difficult but if you come out financially worse by taking the job then I still can't understand the system. I understand that people are forced, but I think the system is wrong. IMO those jobs should be forced to pay a decent wage and should not have masses of a labour pool subsidised for them.

Unfortunately the current government don't agree. Any job is better than no job as it adds to the 'more people in work' statistics.

what is it with teachers needing a break more than other employees? I’m in a stressful job and often work weekends/ checking emails all the time, writing reports/ deadlines What’s the difference? It’s just work no?

Seriously though? They aren’t on the level of medical staff stress. They don’t demand these kind of holidays

I haven’t said it was easy being a teacher I’m sure it’s stressful as are many jobs. Also there are jobs that are more stressful that don’t command such holidays.

@shithappens123 I really hope you are a troll and not a teacher with that attitude and language. Revolting

I never went on holidays abroad or did anything fancy as a child in the summer holidays. We used to visit cousins and vice versa. Wasn't exactly the most amazing time. I much preferred pottering around at home with my mum and dad when they had time off. That honestly was the best feeling. Looking back I realise how valuable that was. I really didn't feel like I missed out by not going on holidays even in the UK. I can't count my cousin's house as they were all much older and we didn't ever go to their local parks or anything.
As a parent now I can imagine how difficult it can be for people without gardens. I lived in an apartment for a number of years when I moved with DH to live together and it was difficult. A lot of parks make me cringe from the behaviour of other kids, young and old and their parents. Having a garden is such a bonus. Children do need a safe and calm area for themselves.
The holidays probably do need to be spread out but it's such a different experience for everyone. Things are so much more expensive now and many areas do not have summer holiday activities. It really does make me feel for those who struggle. I home ed so we enjoy the calmness before the year and being able to spread our costs. I can imagine school families aren't used to that at all and may have even more costs.

I haven’t said it was easy being a teacher I’m sure it’s stressful as are many jobs. Also there are jobs that are more stressful that don’t command such holidays.

Name three jobs that are equally or more stressful that get paid similarly to teachers, carry the same level of assessment and inspection and have the same restrictions with holidays/time off?