"Single mothers with secondary school children should seek work" - BBC news this am.

[mumblechum]

What does everyone think? Apparently 70% of single parents already work, and a third of those who don't have a good reason not to, eg have a child with a disability.

My first response (have always worked at least pt) is "of course they should, the lazy buggers", but a 12 year old child can't really be left to fend for themselves EVERY day after school, can they, and I don't suppose you could get a childminder to look after them for just 1.5 hours a day.

My own experience is that my ds (year 7) does need a fair bit of tlc still, especially with all the upheaval of changing schools, more work, making new friends etc.

What do you reckon?

I find it irritating all the time. The benefits system is there for a reason

but what the hell would you do all day if your kids are at school and youre not working? and what about putting your brain to some use?

think parents of secondary school kids (and primary)SHOULD be advised to work IMO

I really dont think its anyone elses business

is the reason to allow you to stay at home with your kids until they turn 16? q18?

btw i think desi is right - in general terms were fucked either way.

what is that just SINGLE parents? or mothers of couples aswell? dont single parents have it far harder to support their children and look after their homes anyway without being carted off to the workhouse?

I think in purely logistical terms, the best time to work is when you have pre-school children. Of course, that is also the most socially acceptable time to not work as well - which I am taking full advantage of .

I do worry about the long term future of people who haven't worked for 16+ years. It must be really hard to get back into it after all that time, when you are likely to have been out of work longer than you were in it.

It's a tough one.

Im a single parent and i am more than happy to be carted off to the workhouse!!
am not happy to sit on my butt doing nothing and watching jeremly-vile-kyle all day.

how many children have you got?
is your home privately owned or rented?
have you got a good level of education?

ALL these things matter if you are single with children and out of work

Got to agree. Most working parents - single or not - would like to spend more time with their children, but expecting the taxpayer to pay for that?

At the risk of starting a riot, I think the 'right to stay at home' lobby (ie. the state should financially support staying at home) have clouded the debate for years now, and allowed the politicians a get out:

"see! these women don't know what they want! work! not work! let's let them fight it out amongst themselves while we focus on...[insert whatever area of policy you like]".

Working has to be the default, natural option for everyone in society unless they are physically unable, and the state should be providing the means to enable them to do so.

and I also think ist pretty insulting to asume sinlge mums sit at home watching jeremy kyle all day

BUT THYE DO

and how would you know?

'everyone so obsessed with WORK' I agree with this. I remember a post slating SAHM's of school age children even if they weren't on benefits! Whose business is it but the familys. Why work if you are happy and can afford not to.

i think brummie made an excellent post there - and not the first one today i notice! am keep ig an eye on you.

affording education with hildcare is the key

thats how i managed to get out of my hole.

they hardly support anyone to 'learn' though. Its too 'expensive' for alot of people now. Just my own experience

they sit there filing nails
tis the law in these parts

suzycreamcheese, Germany has a federal structure and each state regulates education and things related to it differently so I can't speak for the whole of Germany, just the part I live in. On the whole I think though it's the same basic idea all over. Here state-subsidised income-based care is available from 7am - 8 am (When school starts) and from 12:30 or 1:30 or 4pm (when diff types of school close) till 6pm. They get a warm lunch, do homework, some organised activities and freer play. It's also available when schools are closed for some reason or in all the holidays.

Never had to use those facilities myself but I would say they are affordable for everyone.

So in the UK if you're on benefits and you have a child under 16, there is no pressure put on you by the benefits office to go to work at all, even part-time? Is that right? I'm not criticising the system btw just don't know anything about it.

I do think that the key is affordable and appropriate childcare. But the appropriate childcare issue exists for all working parents of children of that age. What am I going to do with my DS before and after school on the days I work and in the holidays once he gets to that age?

I have the idea of sending him to his grandparents. But.... they will be older then and maybe unwilling/physically unable or swanning off round the world. And he might kick up a stink about being away from his mates.

don't know anyone who leaves their dc there till 6 pm though, they're usually picked up between 3-5pm

SSSandy - I'm not a single parent so I can't asnswer your question.

But from October 2008 single parents will be required to look for work when the youngest child reaches 12 years old. The govt now wants single parents to look for work when the youngest child is 7 years old (that's from October 2010 btw)

Apparently there will be "wraparound" childcare available by then. Yeah right.

What are we talking about when we say "required to look for work". Does this mean in order to get benefits?

Not sure.

Quote from the BBC

"Mr Hain said there would be "clear sanctions" for failing to comply with measures designed to help claimants back to work."

Actually I've just realised that the thread title is misleading (sorry mumblechum!)

The Govt are saying single parents should be looking for work when their last child is 7 - from 2010.

Single parents of secondary school age children (that is age **) are expected to do this from October 2008.

ahem,

secondary school age children - age 12 from October 2008