A Poll about Families

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

No!!

Sorry

 

[bhaexpress]

And before you ask - no, i have never claimed uneployment benefit or any other benefit - have worked since i was 12. The one time I did get made redundant (because the firm went bust) I packed boxes to cover my bills until i got another 'real' job.

There is no excuse for unemployment - there are jobs out there, people are just LAZY and would rather claim benefit

Very sweeping and frankly ill informed statement. there are more than a few people who are out of work because there is no work in the areas they live in, that would include mining areas, around steelworks and also places like Thanet where there simply are no jobs. It's all well and good saying people should move but it's a bit hard to do so when you have no money.

I would imagine that when you 'packed boxes' you lived at home as well. It's very easy to talk about people doing menial jobs but there's more to it than that. If you have a full time job you loose ALL benefits as a rule, this includes Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, you also have to pay for your prescriptions and your fares. Most menial jobs don't pay enough to cover day to day expenses so a lot of people literally can't afford to work.

If the government has a more flexible approach to low paid employment and benefits it might be a bit different. Mind you it would also help if we didn't have so many immigrants as well but that's another matter.

 

[Dave the OAP]

"There is no excuse for unemployment - there are jobs out there, people are just LAZY and would rather claim benefit"

That is a tad harsh Trotster

I was made redundant and due to mortgage commitments and family commitments, I signed on and received unemployment benefit ( but as I received a lump sum, I got bugger all else) It was only for a few weeks, but I was NOT lazy, I was desparate for a job but there just wasnt anything around at that time - late 80's.

I took agency work until I was lucky to get full time work. I didnt actually feel guilty about claiming as I had paid in my contributions and at the end of the day, I was entitled to some sort of safety net underneath me, as most people are.

 

[Spiros]

I have always believed that marriage is for life, and that kids should be brought up by a 2 parent, mixed gender couple.
I realise that this view is considered to be old fashioned, and fully expect to be attacked for holding this view.

In which case I am as old-fashioned as you are. Married 17 years, 2 kids. When kid number one was due (nearly 13 years ago) my wife stopped work to move into the more rewarding career of full-time motherhood (her choice, I might add). This meant the loss of one wage but we simply 'cut our suit according to our cloth' and delayed things like new car, bigger house, expensive holidays, etc.

So to your old-fashioned statement I would add the rider that if you have kids try bringing them up yourself instead of eternally dumping them on nannys or grandparents. It's surprisingly rewarding. I too fully expect to get attacked

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Sorry

So you should be!!!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Single people and couples are not two different species, you know? Those of us married with kids, were single and childless to at one point!

 

[Trotster]

Very sweeping and frankly ill informed statement. there are more than a few people who are out of work because there is no work in the areas they live in, that would include mining areas, around steelworks and also places like Thanet where there simply are no jobs. It's all well and good saying people should move but it's a bit hard to do so when you have no money.

I would imagine that when you 'packed boxes' you lived at home as well. It's very easy to talk about people doing menial jobs but there's more to it than that. If you have a full time job you loose ALL benefits as a rule, this includes Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, you also have to pay for your prescriptions and your fares. Most menial jobs don't pay enough to cover day to day expenses so a lot of people literally can't afford to work.

If the government has a more flexible approach to low paid employment and benefits it might be a bit different. Mind you it would also help if we didn't have so many immigrants as well but that's another matter.

Hardly a sweeping statement FRANK nor was I living at home. There were 2 of us surviving on £400 a month between us- less that benefit woudl have paid. However, I knew that there was work out there and even though the minimum wage hadnt come in at that point, I still went out and packed boxes. I paid for prescripions and faces as you state and no, there wasnt enough or luxuries but we survied - becuase we were prepared to cut back until we were in a better postion. Dont tell me that there are no jobs about, theres plenty. Its people that chose not to work - there are plenty of jobs about if you are prepared to get off your arse and find them

 

[clapham_gull]

I think I'm in somewhat of a minority (from people I speak to), but I've been with my girlfriend for 15 odd years.

We've decided to tie the knot next year, most probably in Brighton.

 

[glasfryn]

both of us have been married to someone else and all the children(4= two each) have left home and getting on OK without us thanks.




and we are busy spending their inheritance

 

[fatbadger]

Living together (NOT 'just' living together) with one kid.

 

[rusty redeyes]

on 2nd marriage, 2 kids, 1 from each marriage. Been having an affair for a little while now, but that's gone tits up again because I can't find it in myself to fully trust the woman I've been seeing. As much as I love her, something is holding me back from fully committing to her and I've let my paranoia destroy what was a fantastic relationship and has possubly ultimately destroyed a good friendship also.