Teenage Mothers-Benefit Culture-Free Flat.

**Major Starbold** · 05-03-2009, 13:44

We have spoken about this before but now it seems that A former minister is highlighting the national scandal.

Labour ex-minister slams 'national catastrophe' of teenage mothers addicted to benefits | Mail Online

Former minister slams 'national catastrophe' of teenage mothers addicted to benefits

Last updated at 8:41 AM on 05th March 2009

Britain's army of teenage mothers living off the state was branded a 'national catastrophe' by a former minister in the Labour government yesterday.

Tom Harris broke one of the party's remaining taboos with an attack on teenage girls who deliberately become pregnant to secure a life on benefits.

The MP, a transport minister until last year, said getting pregnant was seen as a way for those who 'have absolutely no ambition for themselves' to gain independence by being given a flat and an income.
Teenage mother

Living off the state: Tom Harris says it's wrong how many teen mothers have locked themselves into a lifetime of benefits dependency (photo posed by model)

And the married father of three blamed their jobless parents for 'setting the example of benefit dependency for all their offspring'.

**mimseycal** · 05-03-2009, 14:03

When times get tough, the incompetent slam on the defenceless.

**syl1** · 05-03-2009, 14:36

I dont for one moment believe that the vast majority of young single mums, get pregnant deliberately, just so they can live a life of luxury, at the expense of the taxpayer.
What I do think, is that family values have diminished, loads of young kids have no responsible role model, and young people are not putting any value onto themselves. Family values might sound old fashioned, but whilst one parent familys are the norm, one parent mums will need state help.

Ck · 05-03-2009, 18:53

I work with a woman whose child plays football for a local kids team (in a dodgy area known for benefit claimants) and she over heard one conversation of a pregnant mother to another mother saying how she was chuffed to bits that her last scan showed her to be having a disabled child as it meant lots of extra benefit money was coming her way. How wrong is that !

**Nic** · 05-03-2009, 18:57

I was a single teenage mum, and believe me I didn't do it for the benefits! I never once claimed any benefit other than working family tax credit and we managed just fine. I might get shot down for this but I can not understand why these single mums can't work? My OH has 2 friends, who have partners and dont work and claim benefits, I have even ask them why they dont get a job. The answer is they don't believe they can earn enough to pay childcare and live., and that they get amount of pounds in benefits so why bother?????!!!! If I can go back to work full time when my child was 12 weeks old, I don't see why other women can't

Barring of course those with medical problems etc. But a fit young women can work, even if only part time.
This is a real bug bear of mine! Sorry

**mimseycal** · 05-03-2009, 19:15

Originally Posted by Ck

I work with a woman whose child plays football for a local kids team (in a dodgy area known for benefit claimants) and she over heard one conversation of a pregnant mother to another mother saying how she was chuffed to bits that her last scan showed her to be having a disabled child as it meant lots of extra benefit money was coming her way. How wrong is that !

People say all sorts of things in casual conversation. I certainly hope both for the child and any existing children and yes even the mother herself that this is not the sole reason she is chuffed to bits having an extra special child.

Please don't all jump down my throat, I know that every child is special but a disabled/special needs child is really something that will bring out all the best in you if you approach your parenthood with the right frame of mind.

**Major Starbold** · 05-03-2009, 19:36

Personally I am of the old school as you know and favour new born nippuz being looked after by their own mumz until proper school age, where possible.

**Nic** · 05-03-2009, 19:40

Originally Posted by Major Starbold

Personally I am of the old school as you know and favour new born nippuz being looked after by their own mumz until proper school age, where possible.

Can I ask why Major?

**Major Starbold** · 05-03-2009, 19:49

Yes, I will try to answer Nic.

To give the baby and mother the first few years together to bond, nurture, breast feed and so on. For the mother the joy of having the baby, raising it properly herself without dumping it onto someone else.
If a woman wants a baby they, IMO should raise it themselves.
Why have one to dump it?
The first few years are precious and can never be gotten back once gone.

**Nic** · 05-03-2009, 19:55

Originally Posted by Major Starbold

Yes, I will try to answer Nic.

To give the baby and mother the first few years together to bond, nurture, breast feed and so on. For the mother the joy of having the baby, raising it properly herself without dumping it onto someone else.
If a woman wants a baby they, IMO should raise it themselves.
Why have one to dump it?
The first few years are precious and can never be gotten back once gone.

So, if someone has a baby and needs to work to look after said baby then this is "dumping". I dont think many working mums would agree with you there. What about children from 1 child families? When do they interact with other children? When do they learn to share and play if they are at home with mum all day?

I resent the remark about dumping your child, I have a fantastic relationship with my son, he is clever, polite loving and well brought up.. yet I "dumped" him

The other choice I could have made was to sit on my bum, claim benefits and get myself a nice free council house... but then you don't like that either???