Don’t have more kids if you can’t afford them!

[SportMum1982]

I’m not a raving Tory! But honestly I would have loved more children!!! I would have loved 4 kids but I know we cannot afford 4 kids.

Why do people expect the state to pay for their children? Bar education though! If I’m being really cruel tell me, but I feel I did want more kids but stopped.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67999028

But when a lower earner starts popping them out like confetti we need to heavily subsidise them because of "reasons" (usually they will give you a sob story about "the children" but the reality is that this is usually due to very poor choices by adults).

The entire system is basically dysfunctional now

There really aren't millions of low income or even high income families popping out dc. Family size has shrink...

It sounds good, but I cant help wondering how it pans out.
The type of man who abandons his children, who has no concern for their wellbeing, no sense of duty towards them....
Is he not also likely to be the type of man who will track down & punish the mother for daring to show him up for what he is, for daring to try and compel him to take responsibility?

The reason for having lots of children - trauma, some kind of emotional need etc - is irrelevant. The fact is the country is sinking because the percentage of the population who completely rely on the rest is now frighteningly high and unsustainable.

It’s an unpalatable conversation but avoiding it and making out it isn’t an issue because their reasons may be morally justifiable/understandable changes nothing. It doesn’t magic up the cash needed to look after them and somehow keep five star services, great infrastructure, the building of social housing, and all the other things we need.

For example today it’s been revealed that the number of children receiving disability benefits is now 650,000. This is a 70% increase in just a decade. Current day aside, what are the implications for the workforce in future if such a high proportion of these children will not be able to work and pay taxes in the usual manner, and rely on state support? Nobody wants to have this conversation yet it’s a looming disaster.

I agree completely with this, though it's not always easy to identify what's feckless behaviour and what isn't - especially when, faced with a loss of benefit, many would-be claimants can be very inventive

In the end taking personal responsibility's the only thing which really works, but dealing with those who choose not to will never be simple

People having more kids to cure their trauma of childhood?! I’ve heard it all now.

@SwSwordToFlamethrower

Well said.. l 100% agree...someone with some intelligence at last.

Yeahrightyouarethen thanks for rephrasing. In this circumstance the man is just old, his wife who is claiming the allowance is not of working age.. it pays for their cleaner. The scenario you suggest I have more sympathy with but surely the government can't be expected to "compensate" every problem in life?

I take your point - but not everything in life can be predicted. And not everyone makes the best choices all of the time. Some people are vulnerable. But I think the number of people 'popping out kids' (or whatever that other poster said) specifically to claim benefits is quite low. And I would prefer children not to have to live in poverty.

I knew a couple who lived on benefits their entire lives ..never worked..just trounced the system for everything they could and decided to add to their family because the state would pay and provide them with a bigger house.
They had 6 kids

For example today it’s been revealed that the number of children receiving disability benefits is now 650,000. This is a 70% increase in just a decade. Current day aside, what are the implications for the workforce in future if such a high proportion of these children will not be able to work and pay taxes in the usual manner, and rely on state support? Nobody wants to have this conversation yet it’s a looming disaster.. Why do you assume that they won’t be able to work?

Because if they’re disabled and receiving benefits as children it’s quite likely they will need the same support as adults..?

Don't be so rude.

People are entitled to an opinion. Not agreeing with you doesn't indicate a lack of intelligence

Usually people think the babies will get like the ones from the movies and thuscsmall person will licevthem unconditional and life will work out how they want. Each to their own

I don't believe that these people that are committing alleged fraud go around telling everyone about it

Maybe not "everyone", but they certainly pass on tips to those of a similar persuasion, as anyone who's sat in on these type of discussions (and is honest) will confirm. How best to cover that a partner's moved in, how can we get a rapid diagnosis, good ways to game the housing waiting list - it's all there

So much is wrong with this post. But the main point is that the 2 child limit has not reduced the birth rate or the number of families reliant on benefits. IT HASN'T WORKED.

Plus of course, there's no such thing as unlimited benefits now. they're set at a level way below anything near the level required to live a minimum standard of living.

Your view (which seems to be much quoted in this thread) is just abhorrent.

Totally agree about the mother bashing. I did the "right" things. I was married, had a house etc. Two kids so not an excessive number. My world came crashing down when my now ex was arrested for grooming a teenager online. He was banned from our home by social services (not that they needed to, I wasn't having him back) and dismissed from his job. Now he sees the kids under supervision a couple of times a year and pays just about enough for their school lunches each week. But somehow to society I'm the baddie because I'm a single mum and I've had to claim UC despite working. I hate it, they make you feel like a scrounger begging for scraps off the table of your betters. I'm not allowed to really save for the future any more. They can tell me what is considered ok spending and what isn't. I get that it's public money etc but I didn't foresee this and it's soul destroying. Can anyone preaching about planning honestly say they have sorted out what they will do if this scenario happens to them? Or can we agree that sometimes life just blindsides you and you need a bit of help?

Disabled people can receive benefits and work.

UK is no longer a wealthy country. The income per capita is low. Yes overall GDP is high but it is because ut has some very rich people, some rich people, and others struggling or compromising in one way or the other as far as living expenses go.

UK has got the most important thing called sovereignty now, it is not helping public because that is more from point of view of politicians. Vote better if you want better income for all and investment in society.

But you only had two children, that's a form of planning. Family planning is planning for the future.

In fairness there is (or was at the time) but it doesn't go all that far when you find you have 2 new people to provide for rather than the 1 you were anticipating 😬

Because it would involve admin, effort and funds. Because this administration can't be bothered, figuring it is less effort/cost to just pay the benefits rather than making the men face their responsibilities.

My niece has 4 kids by 4 dads, currently single. Whilst affected by the benefits cap, she's receiving 4x CMS at 12% of each father's salary (rather than 19% for 3 or more by the same dad). She's literally rolling in it and enjoys showing off about how she's playing the system and winning.

Life insurance?

While this is a little off the main topic of the thread: receiving disability benefits is not the same thing as not being able to work and pay taxes. The two adults whom I know best, who have always received DLA/ PIP, have also always worked full time in professional careers. In the case of children, disability benefits may enable them to access educational and physical help which will maximize their chances of working in the future.

Children are a want not a need. And an expensive one at that.