Complaining even before the programme airs!

I agree that we need to think hard about the rights of children rather than parents in a neglect situation. The emphasis has been too much on the parents' right....BUT the care system is not great and that has to be constantly borne in mind. Early adoption is the best outcome for the child, but this is often delayed by fruitlessly trying to achieve some parenting skills in the natural parents.

The sort of young people who have a string of babies at a very young age are often themselves victims of poor parenting or the care system, so ranting at them as feckless achieves nothing. Their chosen way of life is often haphazard, hopeless and a danger to their offspring, but in the main all we can do is try and protect their children - often the parents are sadly not amenable to change.

The children have to be the priority and good adoptive homes found asap.

We could think the previously unthinkable and stop them reproducing.

Looplou Sorry I didn't realise there was other family income. During the two years that I didn't work after my daughter was born I received no income whatsoever, apart from child benefit. My husband was a student nurse at that time and his salary was very small but he shared his money equally with me. Other than those two years, I have also worked non-stop from the age of 17 but I consider myself lucky to have been able to get a job whenever we moved. I don't suppose it would be so easy these days.

If everyone thinks they'd be so much better off not owning their own home but living in rented accommodation, claiming benefit, etc., etc., why don't they do that? Personally, I wouldn't want to be in the precarious situation of not knowing whether my landlord could throw me out on the street simply to get more rental income or because I'd asked him to fix a broken boiler.

We could think the previously unthinkable and stop them reproducing
annsixty horror!

Against there yuman rites innit!!

Ironically Eloethanmy age conspires against me (61) and apparently I'm over-qualified for doing a healthcare assistant post, hence return to practice course for which you are not guaranteed a job at the end...
I agree with your last paragraph too, and we will survive (I'm too b....y minded not to!) but it's going to be a bit tough for a few months. Been there before so have some experience
Most jobs want previous recent experience but how do you get that in the first place ? Catch 22......

A long time ago in a previous life I was a receptionist with a housing association. There was a woman well known for complaining - partner didn't work - don't know if he could, but he didn't - with four children. They had a large three bed property. We only had a couple of four bed - both occupied - and she wanted one of them. One day she stormed in with three under six in tow demanding rehousing and at the same time complaining of the rent level (which she didn't pay anyway). She finished her triumphant (foul mouthed) rant with "And I'm pregnant!"

I'm afraid that without thinking I quietly said "Well that was a silly thing to do". It shut her up - but she then complained to the manager. I got an official verbal warning!

I haven't changed my mind. I don't think people should be rewarded for having children they can't afford to keep.

I don't know the answer though, it just seems so irresponsible.

Is there some kind of self-perpetuating pattern in that parents don't work so children see nothing wrong in that and it carries on through generations?
I know of at least 5 families where three generations have never worked. It's very sad when people seem to think that's an appropriate life choice/style.
NfkDumpling I'd have probably said something very similar! There's a family close to here who have 10 children and are demanding a 6 bedroom house, having been moved into a brand new 4 bedroom house (with 7 children) only 3 years ago

My grandmother had 10 children loopylou and brought them up in a two up two down end of terrace with no bathroom and no garden. Her husband was bedridden after having a leg amputated. One child went to Oxford and all of them went on to have successful careers. She had no help from the council until she was nearly ninety and they wanted to demolish her house.

It is all very sad.
I think that it was ever thus really.
I dont think that there is an answer.
There will always be people, who, for whatever reason, have to be kept by the state. A miserable existence for them all.