To think it's a bit harsh to say people who've never worked shouldn't get benefits?

[DonaldBiden]

Was reading another thread where many were saying if someone has never worked they shouldn't get any benefits but couldn't comment because it had reached 1000 comments.

I know this might be an unpopular opinion but I don't agree because that would include young mums who can't work because they have a baby to look after. Most of them will get a job when their child is a little older. Why are they any different from older mums who've fallen on hard times and need help?

And I know people will say it's because they've never worked and haven't proven themselves unlazy etc and could be on the dole forever but why should they have their lives ruined just because of something people think MIGHT happen.

If a young parent is so young they are still required to be in education, their own parents should be funding them. If they are unwilling to do this they should have taught their child about contraception.

If they are young but old enough to work, i don't see why they shouldn't be expected to put the baby in nursery and get a job like everyone else...

In work benefits have artificially depressed wages. Tax payers are subsidising companies by topping up wages. It’s madness and wholly the fault of the New Labour government that introduced tax credits in the late 90s

No-one really thinks that significantly disabled people should be forced into work or on to the streets.

and people should take responsibility for their choices around having children and working patterns

and the state should massively crack down on tax avoidance and non resident parents who don’t pay for the costs of their kids.

I know people on more than that who get UC top ups.

No one envies those reliant on the state. It shouldn’t be a great life, or else why the hell would anyone choose to get out of bed in the morning?

So someone is old and intelligent enough to have sex and produce but not work? why?

For people unable to work though, it should be an ok life at least. Otherwise what is the point

There are too many parents (generally men, let’s face it) who bugger off and won’t pay for the children they’ve helped create. I wish governments would focus on making them pay for their children rather than the taxpayer having to pay what the father should.

£32k and still living at home is a pretty decent financial situation to be in.

There’s a difference between all your hyperbolic suggestions and expecting a parent to take care of their child.

Also carer from the age of 10, in a middle class family that valued education but was riddled with neglect, worked from 16 and have 30 years of contributions with no gaps, two kids because more would be madness. DH grew up in genteel, rural poverty.

DH and I have never claimed anything other than universal benefits (child benefit). DH and the kids have a buffet of neurodiversities. DH and I have had significant anxiety and depression

still always worked because self-reliance is hard-wired.

Lucky them?
Hopefully they can save up and move out soon.

I'm with you OP. I'm also on UC. I had DS last year, and had to give up work because I couldn't get him into nursery, and he was too young for any of the the child minders round here. I had to move when he was about two months old which complicated things as well. I was 35 when I became pregnant with him, there was no way in hell I was having an abortion, as he was my second pregnancy, (I lost my first.) Didn't plan on leaving work, although I suppose according to some people I'm 'allowed' to be on UC as I've worked. But I'm poor (I was working in retail) so having a child is not allowed.

You never did anything stupid when you were 15 ? and at 16 when you're pregnant no where will hire you because you're pregnant and your parents kick you out. Then how are you meant to work with a newborn take it with you? I'm sure someone will be along to say they did take their newborn to work haha.

Anyway point is it's fine for an older mother to receive some financial help but some people are of the opinion a young mum and her baby should starve I guess

There are times when I think males should be sterilised (reversibly) until they show social responsibility but then I remember all my cousins, brothers and friends who pay full child support well over CMS because they are responsible, well brought up people who understand that their kids are their responsibility and not the tax payers

"Why do people always come on these threads talking of the severely disabled when you all must have read the thread title and know it’s all irrelevant"

I've just read a post on this thread where someone is questioning why severely disabled people should receive benefits.

I'd not be mad keen on paying if I was a bloke and the woman lied about being on the pill. This happened to a mate of mine. Thankfully it worked out well as he loves being a dad and is as committed as can be.

Edited by MNHQ at request of OP

I will be taking care of my ADULT child until the day I die. They live in my home rent free, we don't claim housing benefit. I pay for her food, any holidays etc. She only gets pip.

You asked me why I thought a disabled person who has never worked deserves tax payer's money. One day I will die and hopefully my adult child will go on living. If still not able to work, what exactly would happen to her when I die?

Men should be responsible for their own contraception. Wear a condom and choose your partners more wisely

I wonder if there are other solutions.

If I take my child on vacation for a week in school time, or if my child plays truant, I get fined (up until the last Friday in June in the school year that dc turns 16).

So if a parent kicks out a pregnant dc surely the answer is to fine the parent or dock the parents’ benefits? You could make it so that if the father of the child was disclosed and proved by genetic test, then the fine would be split 50:50 with the father’s parents (or borne by the father if he is over 18).

The issue is having years of subsidisation before you've ever had a job. It doesn't encourage you to work so you can afford to move out of home and be independent. This is different from somebody that worked for years prior to motherhood. But I'm not suggesting they should starve.

Have you heard of Shared Lives? It is like foster care placements for adults with disabilities.

There is a difference in a bit of financial help for a parent young or old and finding endless excuses why someome cant be bothered to get a job, a baby is only young for a short time

Most? A bit of a generalisation. Lots of people on universal credit do work, they just don’t earn enough money because they are on minimum wage. There are also people on universal credit who cannot work, through illness. I worked for 47 years.

If a man lies about using a condom it's considered rape though isn't it?

And why would you wear a condom if your partner told you she was on the pill? At the very least you'd be given short shrift for the insinuation that they might be lying to you.