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Got a question about income support changes for lone parents?
Comments
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3guesses, I was only providing an alternative, an alternative which has worked for thousands of others, be they single, married, with children, without children, working or not working.
I didn't say that single parents should be restricted to OU study only, I just offered it as an alternative.
In case you didn't know, I am a single parent to 3 children, two of whom require an awful lot of care...and my ex husband never has them, so I do understand the difficulties. It was also a choice I had to make, fortunately, the OU does carry my choice of degree and because my choice was purely down to the fact the boys care needs are such that attending a full time degree course is impossible (plus my local Uni not actually doing my degree), the OU was the only way I could go.
I am glad that the OU was a suitable choice for you. But an alternative is not an alternative if it is of no use to somebody. If someone needs a screwdriver and you offer them a spanner saying how useful you have found using the spanner in the past, that really is not of any particular help to the other person's situation. I am trying (clearly without much success) to highlight the fact that the vast majority of benefit-dependent single parents with children aged 7+ would find it impossible to re-train through either a full or part-time non-OU university course because they are not eligible for Income Support and therefore are expected to work at least 16 hours per week. It would at least give them a fighting chance if they could claim Income Support in such circumstances, and the opposition on this thread to such a proposal seems unbelievably churlish and selfish to me.0 -
I do not know the full ins and outs of my friend's situation; all I know is that she had to fund herself when she studied her first degree as a mature student, so having now to fund herself also in order to re-train is a real kick in the teeth.
Try not to think of paying towards education and training as a kick in the teeth but as an investment.0 -
I am glad that the OU was a suitable choice for you. But an alternative is not an alternative if it is of no use to somebody. If someone needs a screwdriver and you offer them a spanner saying how useful you have found using the spanner in the past, that really is not of any particular help to the other person's situation. I am trying (clearly without much success) to highlight the fact that the vast majority of benefit-dependent single parents with children aged 7+ would find it impossible to re-train through either a full or part-time non-OU university course because they are not eligible for Income Support and therefore are expected to work at least 16 hours per week. It would at least give them a fighting chance if they could claim Income Support in such circumstances, and the opposition on this thread to such a proposal seems unbelievably churlish and selfish to me.
I don't know if this question has already been asked, but why should single parents be given more beneficial treatment than those without children?Gone ... or have I?0 -
Oldernotwiser wrote: »It's very easy to quote somebody out of context when you have been proved wrong but I can't waste any more time explaining things to you.
Ah, of course, I quoted you out of context!!!
This thread is for discussing the changes to Income Support for lone parents. You stated that students couldn't access benefits while studying and followed up that statement with something about it not being a lone parent problem, whereas in actual fact Lone Parents are one of the few groups who can claim benefits while studying. I'm not quite sure of the context out of which you think I quoted you. I'm sorry that your statement was incorrect. I'm starting to feel sorry for pointing out that your statement was incorrect. Clearly I have tapped into something for you by doing so. Unfortunately, that is your issue not mine, and as a therapist would say: own it.Oldernotwiser wrote: »Lone parents with children over 7 cannot claim IS, whether they are studying or not
Well done! That is in fact the subject of this thread!Oldernotwiser wrote: »I really don't know why you think your friend should be an exception.
Sorry? Where exactly did I say that??? I am merely trying to point out that the Income Support legislation now makes it incredibly difficult for benefits-dependent single parents (with children aged 7+) to re-train. I am not asking for an exception to be made for my friend or anybody else. I would, however, like to see the legislation changed to support and help people in such circumstances, hence why I would like Martin to put my original question to the Minister...Oldernotwiser wrote: »I think you insult all lone parents who manage to study, work 16 hours a week and bring up their children when you say that this isn't possible and imply that their childrearing must suffer if they try.
Again, I didn't say that it wasn't possible, I said "near impossible", but don't let facts get in the way! There are doubtless some who can indeed manage all 3 at the same time - and more power to them! - but a lot would struggle and simply would not be able to manage it. To ignore their needs seems incredibly selfish and not at all in society's interests.Oldernotwiser wrote: »You also insult those who have gained their degrees with the OU by implying that this is in some way a second class option.
Again, I said nothing of the sort. I simply pointed out that the OU was not a universal solution for single parents wanting to study, and that it would in fact be highly discriminatory to restrict single parents to studying OU courses only.Oldernotwiser wrote: »Quite frankly, your ignorance knows no bounds.
Indeed! Whereas your English comprehension skills seem incredibly limited to say the very least...0 -
It is only near impossible if you put it to your head that it is. It is very possible indeed. I parent very well and I will shout it because everyone involve in my children life have told me so. My kids are very well adjusted emotionally, are very well behaved and excel at school. Their school reports are a credit to their ability and behaviour, my daughter is top of her year with a level of 5b in Maths and English at the end of year 5 (and my boy level 3 at the end of year 2). I get complimented on them all the time. I am also a good and dedicated employee and always have been appreciated by my bosses (working 30 hours +). I also did well on my studies, getting good grades (although yes, this of the three areas was the one I put last).
I am not the only one in my situation managing ok. As a matter of fact, some have to do it in even more difficult conditions, but as a poster pointed earlier, it will involve giving up just about all of your free time and enjoyment. I didn't watch TV, went on forums, go out with friends, shopping or anything like that, something that many are not prepared to give up.
Well, congratulations! You clearly are one of the few who can manage working, studying and being a single parent, a genuine super-woman.
Perhaps your formidable skills could also allow you to look beyond your own personal bubble and spare some empathy for those who are not fortunate enough to be so capable?0 -
I don't know if this question has already been asked, but why should single parents be given more beneficial treatment than those without children?
Good question. Why should it matter whether or not parents do a good job of raising their children? In fact, wouldn't we all be better off if we could just deport all the single parents and their children to some island or something? And why stop there? How about all the other classes of people in society who do not meet some arbitrary minimum standards? Hmmm... I'm surprised nobody in human history has thought of implementing such a common sense approach to improving our "civilisation"...0 -
Good question. Why should it matter whether or not parents do a good job of raising their children? In fact, wouldn't we all be better off if we could just deport all the single parents and their children to some island or something? And why stop there? How about all the other classes of people in society who do not meet some arbitrary minimum standards? Hmmm... I'm surprised nobody in human history has thought of implementing such a common sense approach to improving our "civilisation"...
You have heavily edited your post with lots of irrelevant comments, but still not answered my question?Gone ... or have I?0 -
Well, congratulations! You clearly are one of the few who can manage working, studying and being a single parent, a genuine super-woman.
Perhaps your formidable skills could also allow you to look beyond your own personal bubble and spare some empathy for those who are not fortunate enough to be so capable?
I am only average intelligence and not super woman, I desperately require my 8 hours a night sleep if I want to function to full capacity. I am nothing special and nothing more than other people I know. The difference is that I believe that I have to work hard to get what I want and not think that others should subsidise for me just because I am not as fortunate as some. It is not about empathy it is about independence and dedication.0 -
I am glad that the OU was a suitable choice for you. But an alternative is not an alternative if it is of no use to somebody. If someone needs a screwdriver and you offer them a spanner saying how useful you have found using the spanner in the past, that really is not of any particular help to the other person's situation. I am trying (clearly without much success) to highlight the fact that the vast majority of benefit-dependent single parents with children aged 7+ would find it impossible to re-train through either a full or part-time non-OU university course because they are not eligible for Income Support and therefore are expected to work at least 16 hours per week. It would at least give them a fighting chance if they could claim Income Support in such circumstances, and the opposition on this thread to such a proposal seems unbelievably churlish and selfish to me.
Oh I give up....I really do.
OU was not a choice for me, it was the ONLY option if I wanted to retrain, purely because I am a single parent and my children are disabled.
My constraints may have been different but I didn't have a choice, for me, Uni was impossible either on a full time or part time basis because of the needs of my children.
So I have done what I can to retrain and obtain my degree within those constraints and the bonus is that if I do find myself in a position of finally finding employment which fits in to the care needs of my boys, I can still study.We made it! All three boys have graduated, it's been hard work but it shows there is a possibility of a chance of normal (ish) life after a diagnosis (or two) of ASD. It's not been the easiest route but I am so glad I ignored everything and everyone and did my own therapies with them.
Eldests' EDS diagnosis 4.5.10, mine 13.1.11 eekk - now having fun and games as a wheelchair user.0
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