But this study is very limited in scope.
Reserachers went to Glasgow and Middlesbrough, with the logic that if any such families existed, they would easily find them in one of these cities.
But no one from any such families came forwards.
Which, as someone who comes from an incredibly deprived area in Glasgow, isn’t surprising.
The researchers seem to have drawn the conclusion that due to the lack of engagement with them, that such families are therefore rare.
There are however, other reasons.
People who are on benefits through choice, rather than necessity, would naturally be reluctant to discuss their benefits, and reasons for claiming those benefits, with people they perceive to be in a position of authority i.e. the researchers, for fear of potentially drawing attention to themselves and losing their benefits.
Many people who come from families where multiple generations have claimed benefits grew up in poverty, thus resulting in poor outcomes, i.e. addiction, incarceration, poor mental health, involvement in crime etc. Again, these people are understandably unwilling, or unable, to engage with researchers.
Many of the older members of the families would be dead. Glasgow has the lowest life expectancy in Europe - see the Glasgow effect.
The loss of industry in Glasgow decimated communities here, and many families just never recovered from that.
I don’t understand what anyone gains from denying this. As I said upthread, all it achieves is condemning an entire generation of children trapped in these communities to a life on benefits.
I am certainly not bashing any of these people, I find it incredibly upsetting that so many people have been left behind by reliance on the welfare system.