To find this entitled?

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaahh]

This doesn't apply to people with childcare or caring responsibilities, any sort of illness or disability which means they cannot work full time.
But I've seen a few people on here or social media basically saying 'I can do supply/care work/0 hours work and sometimes only get a shift or two a week, because my husband earns well.'

So they're pretty much choosing to swan about and avoid full-time work, because they assume their husband or partner will carry on in their high-earning, full time role.

What happens if this husband loses their job, becomes sick, or just decides they're sick of having to be the breadwinner?

I see it all the time on supply teacher pages,'Oh I've only had 1 day of work in 2 months but it's fine because my husband is the breadwinner!!'

There are other jobs where you could make a living, you just don't want to do them, yet you still want your dream forever house and luxury lifestyle. If it were the wife full-time and the husband taking the piss there would be uproar.

volunteering was covered by the etc if you read the thread.

The world would be a happier place if people would stop comparing themselves to others and just mind their own business.

Yes but @malware doesn't seem to think that's contributing to society because no tax is paid.

My dh does this. He is self employed and picks and chooses his days. I am happy with it as he is available for childcare, DIY, appointments etc, and he is happy. We can live on my wage.
I get it for supply teachers too. If the partner loses their job, they can just go full time. If I lose my job, dh will have to go full time if I don't find a job. If it works, I see no problem.

Exactly!

malware · 10/08/2026 10:46
I suppose the criticism would be that you enjoy all the benefits of our economy (NHS, roads, schools, police, defence, justice system) but you don't contribute, even though you could if you chose to.

well you implied it.

If this is a matter for the conscience of the individual then why do you raise it and express your opinion unless of course this is ragebait? I really do not see your argument that BOTH people should work to contribute tax even though they have agreed between themselves that one person will do it for both and that one person will be contributing a humongous amount of tax. ....oh and I don't do a tax return, the government does it for me and did all the time I was employed in the NHS...does that mean I don't have to contibute??

As I said, I think that people who do or do not volunteer or have caring responsibilities, should not have to justify their choices.

I said above that there are other ways to contribute such as caring and volunteering. Yesterday at 12:43 to be precise.

But I do it's right that everyone should reflect on their own contribution. I work right now but when I retire in a few years, I will be looking at what else I can do and I think most people would do this.

I can see I have needled a few people here. Carers, parents of younger children and volunteerers were not who I was talking about.

Yes but also seem to not like it when someone doesn't pay tax and suggested they shouldn't be allowed to access any services that are funded via tax.
If that's not what you meant you worded it very badly.

I didn't talk about tax. I talked about contribution (work, tax, volunteering, care etc)
And 3 times I said you SHOULD be allowed to use the services even if you personally don't contribute. But I did say you should feel guilty about. Which is different.

Why should someone feel guilty about not paying tax?
If you work full time on minimum wage you don't pay tax.

I think needling people is exactly what you like to do hence the username.

What if I pay more tax in ten years than you pay in 20? I can take ten years off then, surely?

It is not far off someone on benefits having to write a thank you letter to a tax payer, like Jeremey Clarkson suggested.

You wouldn't turn up to a pot luck supper with nothing because you brought 2 dishes last time. Everyone contributes to the collective effort and you would feel bad enough if you turned up with nothing that you'd avoid doing it unless you really couldn't. Is this so very different?

And people on minimum wage don't need to feel bad a contribution can be through tax and/or effort as I said in my earlier post

Well it all depends on the circumstances to why you haven't brought anything.....😂
(and a lot of people wouldn't feel that guilty....)

Well I am glad we almost agree on something!

@malware to be honest the minimum wage job I used to do didn't really contribute that much to society.
I worked in a high street retailer that mostly sold stuff people wanted but didn't actually need.
Yes it meant that people buying all the stuff gave people jobs (from the shop to distribution to the factory) so that's a contribution but it's also contributed to the wasteful, cheap goods that are destroying the planet.
That retailer went bust and no longer exists but the world still turns.

I am not a massive fan of tat shops either. If nothing else your employer would have paid business rates which paid forus eful things like street lighting and rubbish collection. The landlords got paid and that money probably paid private pensions and that would have all been taxed there too.

Well yes in the big scheme of everything taxes were paid, wages were paid, pensions were paid etc etc.
I just frequently felt that it was all a bit pointless when I worked there (I didn't enjoy my job to be honest).

It was probably below your capabilities. And I think a lot of these places want to control their staff and what they do so much that it becomes a bit soul destroying.

Strange thing to say.
You have no idea of my capabilities.
🤷

You seem to like debate which doesn't seem much suited to customer services but I was trying to be polite.

"But I did say you should feel guilty about. Which is different."

Its also hilarious.

yeah but they aren't very good at it.