The government complains about the economic consequences of people not having enough children.[War criminal], Peter Costello expects us to carry out our patriotic duty by going home and having more children. But for most people it is a struggle to bring up one child let alone two or three.
The tax cuts and gimmicks may encourage a few well-off people. But in no way does it allow us to afford housing, schooling, clothing and all the other essential costs of bringing up a child. Basically the burden still falls on the parents or parent. Often this is the mother.
Looking after a child is hard work. Not only is it full time it is often twenty-four hours seven days a week. It is often extremely difficult to obtain let alone afford childcare. But single parents are not even paid close to a living wage for themselves, let alone two people.
The government complains about the economic consequences of people not having enough children.
They warn that adults will be forced to work after the current age for retirement unless we have more children. But who can afford to have them. It's time society took responsibility for the upbringing of children.
It's time parenting was recognised as work requiring a living wage.Yet, we are assured that apart from offering us gimmicks, the government plans to crack down on those single parents who are having relationships and therefore "not" single. They promise state harassment.
This will inconvenience a large number of single parents. The governments and the system expects single parents not only to live in poverty, but to face state harassment and not have relationships either. It's time that the hard work of bringing up a child is given the respect and pay it deserves.
StandUp! Is an unemployed and social security activist group. We meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month 6pm South Sydney Leagues Club Regent Street Redfern All Welcome... Phone us (02) 9599 1727 (Fridays only between 10am and 4pm).
standup@hotmail.com
Phone 95992717
Fridays Mobile 0423 670 417
By StandUp! 4 June 04
Related:
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Unemployed farm postings would cost jobs: AWU
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NSW prisons - primary industry bailed up!
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Robin Egan
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