I've absolutely no problem with freedom of choice, nor with the State helping in cases of dire and exceptional misfortune.
However, being in an unhappy relationship is nothing to do with the government, nor should it be.
If child benefit only went to the first two children of married people there would be an incentive to get married, and stay married, which is the best environment for children and the best foundation for a well functioning society.
If people wanted to opt out of that arrangenment I wouldn't want to stop them; but they'd have broken a social contract (marriage) and consequently have lost out on the concomitant state assistance. This would have been their choice.
As for unhappy and abusive relationships. I know, they are common, but really it is up to people to manage their own lives and choices more carefully. The State cannot sort out all these personal problems. There is a pattern very often of women going from abusive relationship to abusive relationship. Sad but true, and another matter; but nothing to do with the government unless children are involved. These women should ask themselves a few questions. If benefits for kids were predicated on marriage then the number of single and dependent mothers would fall like a stone, to the wellbeing of all society.
We give money to young girls to have babies. They have babies. These babies become children and, to a far higher degree than for children in stable families, these children fail. At school; in personal relationships; in the workplace. This is fact sadly, and something the goverment is very concerned about. It is now the white children of single mothers who are the group doing worst academically. And yes, I know there are lots of exceptions, but I am talking here of the generality.
Kids need dads. I was pretty much brought up by a single mother but I went to a boys school and was taught my men, so I had lots of masculine input. Some boys today never see their father or any other decent male role model and get taught almost exclusively by women; and any male teachers are not even permitted to give them a ticking off if they are naughty. It's hard for the kids. I care most about the kids you see, grown-ups should be more responsible. A reformed benefits system would be one way of encouraging better parental responsibility.
However, being in an unhappy relationship is nothing to do with the government, nor should it be.
If child benefit only went to the first two children of married people there would be an incentive to get married, and stay married, which is the best environment for children and the best foundation for a well functioning society.
If people wanted to opt out of that arrangenment I wouldn't want to stop them; but they'd have broken a social contract (marriage) and consequently have lost out on the concomitant state assistance. This would have been their choice.
As for unhappy and abusive relationships. I know, they are common, but really it is up to people to manage their own lives and choices more carefully. The State cannot sort out all these personal problems. There is a pattern very often of women going from abusive relationship to abusive relationship. Sad but true, and another matter; but nothing to do with the government unless children are involved. These women should ask themselves a few questions. If benefits for kids were predicated on marriage then the number of single and dependent mothers would fall like a stone, to the wellbeing of all society.
We give money to young girls to have babies. They have babies. These babies become children and, to a far higher degree than for children in stable families, these children fail. At school; in personal relationships; in the workplace. This is fact sadly, and something the goverment is very concerned about. It is now the white children of single mothers who are the group doing worst academically. And yes, I know there are lots of exceptions, but I am talking here of the generality.
Kids need dads. I was pretty much brought up by a single mother but I went to a boys school and was taught my men, so I had lots of masculine input. Some boys today never see their father or any other decent male role model and get taught almost exclusively by women; and any male teachers are not even permitted to give them a ticking off if they are naughty. It's hard for the kids. I care most about the kids you see, grown-ups should be more responsible. A reformed benefits system would be one way of encouraging better parental responsibility.
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