In what ways has 12 years of tory rule impacted you as a woman

[SuspiciousHedgehog]

I would like responses detailing how you feel that the last 12 years of economic policy has affected you in ways that are unique or much more likely due to your sex.

Good and bad, please

Probably because your 2 poll choices are difficult to follow

I do not believe my life has become worse as a woman.

It has certainly been made worse as a landlord. The Tories have made many changes that makes being a private landlord vastly less profitable.

Because those who think YABU can’t give examples as you’ve requested

you've asked for how Tory rule has made life as a woman hard, if people don’t think it has, they won’t have examples, and thus won’t be answering on here

Cost of childcare and a patriarchal government that couldn't give two shits about the rights of women or working mothers! Suella Braverman is getting a lot of press now, but I remember when she was attorney general and was asked a question about h Childcare she basically answered that the government were doing enough and we should be happy with that!

They may be the only party to have had women at the helm, but they seem to trojan horse their most impacful policy changes through the women, let the media whip up an inordinate amount of hate, then bring the boys club back in to sort it all out.

All but obliterating Labour’s Sure Start centres was such a stupid act or self harm
for the country by the Tories. They were amazing value to to society and gave children the best start for health, protection and education for life. They were amazing for DC1, a sad shadow for DC2 and closed down by DC3. Still
makes me angry. All this talk about “growth” from the government is just hogwash. You only get sustainable growth from careful investment - in education, health, society and infrastructure. Starting with the youngest and early years health and education. That’s what will build a better society. An ignorant, unwell, stressed and stranded population isn’t going to provide any growth FFS. Austerity and Brexit - both futile and stupid Tory exercises in impoverishing the country.

I would like responses detailing how you feel that the last 12 years of economic policy has affected you in ways that are unique or much more likely due to your sex.

Well... 2 more female PMs.

Kemi Badenbach is being tipped as near future leader of party: another female. Tories are surging away with female leaders. I may feel the huge importance of this more than many males would.

Can't think of any other examples. But Tories are definitely winning in the female leader stakes.

IME:

• frighteningly poor maternity care (x2) resulting in avoidable health issues for me and my DD;
• unaffordable childcare (the burden of this had to fall to my mum when I returned to work - so I wasn’t the only woman directly affected);
• Unforgivably bad SEND provision for my DD, which has caused me years of additional stress as advocating for her is basically a full time job;
• Increasingly precarious and poorly paid employment has meant my pension, already decimated by having to drop to PT work due to my DC’s needs and lack of suitable childcare, is now virtually non-existent
• Years waiting to have a medical condition (specific to being a woman) diagnosed and treated, and having to fight to even be taken seriously and get a referral.

I can’t think of a single good thing I’m afraid, OP. I'm very much a glass-half-full person normally, but it has all felt unrelentingly grim for a long time now.

Some of these are choices though, for example your mum doing childcare, are you a single parent? If not why did childcare costs fall to you?

SEND provisions would have been an impact had you been a male or your DD been a DS

Reading these, I'm so, so thankful my children were all born and had their early years under a Labour government.

I'm in my 60s now and am not sure it has affected me much at all. Of course it may as I get older and need NHS or social care but I don't know exactly what the situation would have been under other parties so can't compare.

I am one of the WASPI women so am worse off financially but agree with this change so don't mind. I remember lots of information about the changes in the media and think we were informed enough. I also think there has to be a limit to what our generation expect the young to pay for us, my own mother had more than 30 years of state pension for very little in contributions which is not sustainable. I still work and have more disposable income than when my children were young so probably more than current young families

I don't think this Tory government can be blamed for that- the policy was first announced in 1991, put into law in 1995. The increase from 65 was then under the Labour government.

Being a single parent falls into the category of much more likely when female

Some of these are choices though, for example your mum doing childcare, are you a single parent? If not why did childcare costs fall to you?

SEND provisions would have been an impact had you been a male or your DD been a DS

My childcare choices have been made through necessity. Choices aren’t made in a vacuum. Gaps in SEND provision and childcare affect mothers more because of structural inequalities which successive governments have made no meaningful attempts to address.

would like responses detailing how you feel that the last 12 years of economic policy has affected you in ways that are unique or much more likely due to your sex.

Well I think you're being unreasonable because this seems to be a fact finding mission for a poorly planned article or school project. This isn't you taking part in a discussion.

Child with SN, apparent at 18 months, diagnosed at 2. All the amazing Sure Start things I'd seen with my oldest were gone and so I spent most of my time alone with dc as they were unable to access regular toddler groups etc.

I fell into years long depression due to it.

Unless you are a single parent many of your issues listed are through choice, not due to your sex.

for example having to go PT, and childcare.

I didn't know that was an option. I thought you had to have a medical reason.

Also, what if you go into labour before then?

Good. Landlords are a vile lot.

None at all. They are all as bad as each other.

So you’re keen to have children but done no research into options?

weird but ok

You haven’t needed to have a medical reason since 2018 for an elective. And if you go into labour early you call the delivery ward and get in asap and you’ll still have the section if you’re not too far into labour

understand the 2 child cap to UC. Actually I don't because we have a shrinking population, but I understand its part of Austerity Ideology

or maybe it’s a part of the fund your own lifestyle choices ideology?

I feel I’m locked in the Uk. Having spent the early part of my career working all over Europe and benefitting from cheap career enhancing study in the Eu while raising small children, my return to the uk has left me unable to feasibly progress due to extortionate study costs and extortionate childcare. Extortionate everything. Feeling negative tonight but genuinely feeling as though my chances are blown and I’m destined to be a SAHM (a role that tbh I’m quite shit at). Self employment while worrying about rising costs is so hard… my ability to work on complex projects is absolutely hindered by massive financial stress and I’m about to implode. Parenting here is an isolated pursuit , without sufficient support from adequate public services. I’m in a quagmire of constant interruptions while I try to navigate school issues, health issues, property issues, and an ever present guilt that the career path I love and I’ve dedicated my life to is now pointless, worthless and tbh , an indulgence. Destined for a Cinderella type existence without the glass slipper/ prince ending.

Do you mean women?

Or simply anyone that decides to self-identify as one? (As per the Labour Party who are unable to state what a woman is?)

Good. Landlords are a vile lot.

So are some tenants.

I’ve rented from probably 8 landlords at various times. All but one was decent.

I’ve rented a property out once (when I was temporarily living overseas). I still can’t work out whether the tenants were genuine shits or just incredibly stupid but they somewhere managed to trash the place.