| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/3/2008 9:42:54 PM | I'm a single mum doing study at moment to increase my career options, daughter in kindy and has been since last year (yep i completed a Cert III last year). I have been a single working mum (got two older boys) and worked right up to my 8th month. As far as being underpaid by social security ???? don't think that's the right wording - maybe cheaper childcare be a start - or cheaper education for uniforms and books maybe - we do allright here, it can be a bit tight some weeks (with elec and gas and rent and food - it all adds up) but hey we manage.
As long as my kids are happy, healthy, got food and clothes and a roof over their heads - i'm happy to go without.
Regards to the change with parents going back to work when the youngest starts school - i've always been for that. I first went back to part-time work when my second son started school.
That's one reason why i doing study now so in 2 years time i should be pretty much right with a job/career.
Congrats to all the single parents out there, male and female (i know 4 single fathers raising their kids on their own)..
Its not an easy job - but we do it coz we love em.  | |
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go97
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Joined: 11/25/2007
Msg: 52 | |
| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/3/2008 9:55:42 PM | | Interesting, I watched the movie Borat the other day. The central character’s condemnation of racism againtst Jews through humour and sarcasm was obvious. However, the movie or documentary had a wider theme about revealing accepted stereotypes in a community. This thread reminds of this. Stereotypes about single parents on welfare are just that. However, more alarming is the association between parents, unemployment, and kids. Single unemployed parents seem to be valorised as socially unaccepted human beings in this thread and I find it both repulsive and a comment on those who defend harsh measures.....all the best 'havgem' | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/3/2008 10:09:59 PM |
Single unemployed parents seem to be valorised as socially unaccepted human beings in this thread
Could you point out where this is the case, so I can see what you mean? Or is this merely a defensive interpretation of discussion surrounding a topic that should be open for all viewpoints, but too often seems to be closed to anything other than viewpoints that hold all single unemployed parents up as paragons of virtue?
And yes Havgem, all the best to you and to all the other single parents who do a fantastic job of parenting and whatever other ventures they take on. But does inclusion of that type of acknowledgement become compulsory to every post made on this thread? To merely express concerns or other perspectives does not automatically have to be interpreted as not having respect for particular individuals who are single parents. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/4/2008 3:44:31 AM | | It always interests me that you often see comments in internet forums such as this & for that matter in our media at large about groups in our society such as single parents, the unemployed, refugees, etc that may or may not be deserving of support by our welfare system. It's been going on for years with no sign of ending. At the same time you would expect to see sustained scrutiny of & complaining about people such as the politicians at all levels of govt who take early super payouts & o/s junkets & the very wealthy who use every sleight of hand trick their accountants can conceive to make sure they pay a pittance in tax unlike the rest of us. By the way I'm not saying all wealthy people do this before someone assumes I do! | |
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equsme
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Joined: 12/18/2007
Msg: 55 | |
| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/4/2008 3:51:33 AM | | my beef is my maintanence is high from wat my ex supposedly capacity to earn, he does not pay the full amount so my pension is way low maintenence is way low my rent is high petrol to anywhere is high, iv done a few courses and im doing volunteer work to get my "eye" in again iv owned and run several businesses and yes self confidence and self worth feels low. its so hard | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/4/2008 3:51:37 AM |
At the same time you would expect to see sustained scrutiny of & complaining about people such as the politicians at all levels of govt who take early super payouts & o/s junkets & the very wealthy who use every sleight of hand trick their accountants can conceive to make sure they pay a pittance in tax unlike the rest of us.
True. Perhaps start a thread with that as the topic then? | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/4/2008 3:59:53 AM | we should ask the soon retiring peter costello,
famously known for " have one for you and one for your country"
his raising of the baby bonus and the family tax benefit a bonus each year per child he delivered.
he'd know if we pay em too much, all i know is when the bonuses come in we get more work to all sorts of places like bottlo's,pubs,drug dealers,shopping centers and many other places.
but i love the thread title, single mothers, such a broad ranging one
i see plenty of single fathers in my work, wonder if the magic 95 % number will pop up | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/4/2008 4:19:30 AM | | I think perhaps I will Naamah, I strongly feel that there is regular critism in Aust society of those who may not be able to defend themselves while those with money &/or political clout get away with ripping off the system & wasting taxpayers money again & again & apart from fleeting interest in the media no-one seems to care (apart from Peter Andren, sadly missed). | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/15/2008 1:36:46 PM | I actually work for Centrelink and the changes dont come in state by state cos the legislation is Australia wide
the staggering depends on the persons particular circumstances not the state they live in.....
most sole parents (male and female) are okay with the introduction of the new rules
of course there are the odd one who object but these are the rules of this payment now | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/15/2008 2:57:01 PM | What's the point of not agreeing with them, Maggie?
We do what we have to do to feed and clothe our kids...those kids who, it would appear, their fathers have decided they do not need to support becasue they no longer live with them. To any of you blokes who do not support your children - shame on you. And the really bad news is - you are the ones who will the reap the consequences of that.
I'm one of the dreaded single parents..have been for 9 years. I do not recieve child support - and decided many years ago not to even think about it. If the CSA can't collect it, what the hell hope do I have? Instead, I struggle by on what I earn, with Centrelink holding me up when it is school holidays, or if there's not much work in any given week. And while I'm on that, the money I get from CL, is only just enuff to do what we need to do.
Now. let me outline what I have to do to get my pension...
1. Must go to the CL office in person to log my form (40 min round trip.) I usually have to do this after work, and after collecting my kids from home, where they walk after school and wait for me to get home (they are 11 and 12). So it is a 1 1/2 hour exercise every fortnight.
2. Have to attend TURSA appts, which tell me how to do cv's, and retrain and all that...even tho I am a qualified teacher, and working as such, as a relief teacher, with two days in 2007 that were casual, but guarranteed. Worked an average of four days a week last year - as well as looked after my three.
3. Regardless of whether I work five days a week, or one, I still have to do all this. Otherwise, in the school holidays, when I choose to care for my children, we have no 'cushion' from the government.
I do all this, and I appreciate the help, but it can be a nightmare when the reporting system isn't adhered to correctly, and suddenly you get a letter saying you owe $2 000! I have never come across any CL employees who are anything but helpful (except for one silly, silly, silly man who thought I should be able to get thru a weekend with no money - because they had made an error....he soon changed his mind when I said that me and my three children weren't leaving the office until they did something about it. His supervisor fixed it up quick smart.)
I resent the fact that because my husband had addictions that would have damaged my children, I chose to leave him. And because he doesn't support them, it is up to me. And that I have to stand in that goddamned line like a dole bludger. I really hate that part.
There are not enough jobs for single parents. The hours don't work, and if they do, they are often low-paying. I thank God my parents pushed me into teaching - perfect job for me.
But I should have been able to have the same choices a married woman has. And I don't. Suck it up - that's life! | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/15/2008 11:10:10 PM | Well at the risk of upsetting many single mothers, I don't see it as my responsibility to use my taxes to pay or even supplement childcare for anyone.
I raised my children without the help of the taxpayers money and I expect others to do likewise.
I'm tired of people copping out on their responsibilities and expecting the nation to pick up the pieces.
So there's my two bobs worth. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/16/2008 12:35:39 AM | i really hate that term "paid"!! what work has been done to be paid???
dont get me wrong - i have used the services of centrelink when as a single parent in the early stages I needed their assistance (oh and don't worry i have never missed a day's work in 30 years with or without children) but I would not term it as being "paid".
under assisted - no, not at all. there are many benefits that come with that little blue card - and yes you can seek employment and still keep that card, it is just up to the individual and their circumstances as to how badly they want it or need it.
but please don't call it "pay day" makes me go like this................ | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/20/2008 6:22:38 AM | I'm a single mother who claims child care benefit. I had to sign an 'agreement' for reduced child care fees with centrelink whilst I worked and studied, and I am constantly getting letters from centrelink wanting to know my every move.
I know of a woman who claims to centrelink she is separated from her husband (she has 5 children) and is NOT separated as HE works in the mines and lives with her when he is not at the mines. She never hears a thing from centrelink!
I work and study because I choose to do so. A mother does have the right to raise her children and be at home with them, but if the father is not in the picture or doesn't contribute then she should work and not live off welfare. Children need interaction with other children and working a few hours for a few days will not have much of a backlash on the mother.
Personally? I think centrelink should be looking at the mothers who claim to live alone and who drive late model cars. With the rents in WA the way they are, there is no way a single mother on a pension alone can possibly afford new car repayments! | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/20/2008 7:42:47 AM | If you ask me, I think the creation of the "single parents pension" was one of the biggest mistakes our Federal government ever made. If I was the Minister responsible for Social Security I would propose to scrap it as a matter of urgency. Why? Because it's one of the most abused forms of welfare. That's why.
Just take a look at how many single women just keep having children with so many different fathers. Personally, I think those same women are allergic to work. FFS! They take the view that taxpayers are obliged to fund their lifestyle and we shouldn't do anything to interfere with that lifestyle.
For those of you who argue the point that these women are doing this country a favour by contributing towards a higher birthrate, I say so what. I'm also contributing towards the gross domestic product and you don't see me being rewarded by the Federal government. In fact the opposite is happening. I'm being taxed for it. Where is the justice in that?
Desirable behaviour isn't always rewarded, so why should single women be rewarded for having children without any conditions attached to that welfare benefit? If you take a closer look at our welfare system, the only other welfare group that is allowed to receive welfare payments without any conditions are people with a disability. Should we treat single parents the same way? I don't think so.
I think that single parents are capable of at least working part time and should be expected to look for that kind of work. If they refuse to do so then they should stop expecting taxpayers to pay for their living expenses. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 2:36:34 AM | Donster
Well at the risk of upsetting many single mothers, I don't see it as my responsibility to use my taxes to pay or even supplement childcare for anyone.
I didn't have my children until I was 28, Donster, so I paid tax for 7 years (not including all the work I did as a student to get thru Uni - 3 years), then my husband paid them for three years. I had a few years that were pretty tough, where I relied solely on the Govt - because my husband wouldn't/couldn't/didn't pay child support..and went back to paying tax when my youngest children hit school. So, I've been paying tax again (only part-time tho) for 6 years now....so, excuse me while I feed my children with YOUR money!
Your attitude appears small-minded and I think it might be an idea to get your head out of the sand (don't take offence, it's a lot better than where I was gonna say you had stuck it), and have a look at the real world. If I have taken your comment about the wrong way, I apologise, but maybe you should have worded it differently. I don't like flying off the handle on-line, because so often, people have not meant to say what it is their words are saying. But, if we had this convo in reality, I would be saying the same things to you.
I raised my children without the help of the taxpayers money and I expect others to do likewise.
Did you raise them on your own? Or did you have a partner, or parent's help?
I'm tired of people copping out on their responsibilities and expecting the nation to pick up the pieces.
Me too....but it wasn't me that copped out. And if the nation doesn't pick up the pieces, who the hell is going to? My ex certainly wasn't going to. (Keep in mind, my three children were 2 1/2 and 18 months - twins.) Work was absolutely not an option for me. At that point.
So there's my two bobs worth.
I'm sorry Donster, but I think two bob is a bit over-priced. You are entitled to an opinion, but at least explain why you think what you do. Otherwise, you run the risk of upsetting people and they might think you are an arrogant, insensitive git. Off my soap box now, and time to have a little relax before I pop an artery!
I do hope you come back in and clarify EXACTLY what you meant. I don't want to think of you the way I do right now. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 2:49:18 AM | InSydney - once your children reach school age, the Centrelink conditions change quite dramatically, and you have to be involved in either searching actively for work, or in re-training.
I can't recall exactly what I have to do - I think it's 30 or so hours a fortnight of actual work. It does include volunteer stuff I think, but I never put that down, I always forget. If I don't work, I think I get a couple of weeks to pull my socks up...or they haul me in for re-training, and advice on finding work. Like the unemployment payment, if you really are determined not to contribute, it can probably be wangled. But it's more of a hassle than it's worth, I would think. It's annoying enough trying to fulfill all the requirements when you are doing all the right things. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 2:54:30 AM | Maybe all the fella's who are ragging out single mothers who need benefits to bring their kids up should infact be having a go at the absent fathers, who refuse to support their kids and shirk their responsibilities.
It takes two to make a baby......strange that often one parent thinks their responsibility ends there! | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 3:15:09 AM | I'm in too minds , no i'm not, yes I am
when i think like a scorned man " she's the one that ran off with billy joe, and now i pay for my child like some sort compulsory ex-lover payment..she wrecked my life, why cant i have my kid and watch opera and dr phil and she pay me" .
but then she is my child's mother and a good woman, a better mum i have yet to meet. I dont need to know what she does during the day or with CSupport. its her budget, and if she gets cash from the rock'nroll then I'm all for it...double that sucker see if i care.she needs it as my kid like yours is royalty and deserves the best. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 4:14:24 AM |
What's the point of not agreeing with them, Maggie?
Have to agree Witchy - it's not like they have a competition company where everyone can take their business now is it? We don't really have another option do we?
It's a case of 'like it or lump it'.
Have lots more to add to this thread but it's late, I'm tired and I've already made too many mistakes in other threads. Can I come back again tomorrow? Please? | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 5:19:44 AM |
Maybe all the fella's who are ragging out single mothers who need benefits to bring their kids up should infact be having a go at the absent fathers, who refuse to support their kids and shirk their responsibilities. .....I totally agree. Look at the absent fathers and keep in mind fellas that YOU are paying for THEIR lack of responsibilities.
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 10:08:14 PM |
Maybe all the fella's who are ragging out single mothers who need benefits to bring their kids up should infact be having a go at the absent fathers, who refuse to support their kids and shirk their responsibilities.
Fathers who don't contribute towards the expenses of the children they were responsible for being born have zero respect from me. Even if a father didn't have the capacity to work should have his welfare payments reduced so that same money can be used to pay for the living expenses for their own children. The only exception to this should be parents who have become disabled since their child was born. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/21/2008 10:30:38 PM | | I have to say that I dont know why any woman would not want to work at least part-time anyway. My ex is unemployed at the moment so maintenance has stopped for now and even with my wage it is bl00dy hard to make ends meet. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to constantly live on benefits alone. Its not a way of life I would ever willingly choose. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/22/2008 3:00:06 PM | Just to throw another spanner into the mix..
Most of these single mums are working. Those who arent are generaly the type who would be collecting the dole anyway if they weren't collecting the single mums. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/22/2008 4:15:44 PM | You're right crayonzzzzzz.
Insydney - I am with you. If you stick it in, you have to take responsiblility. Many parents who do not have primary care seem to be able to find loop-holes to avoid paying to raise their children...my ex is a brickie, so cannot be traced as far as wages go. And he hasn't lodged a tax return for about 6 years - cos that would come straight to us. | |
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| single mothers: underpaid by social security or...?
Posted: 1/22/2008 6:36:06 PM | just from the paying parent point of view for a moment,
i don't understand how people can go through life and NOT lodge a tax return.
i know they do it just so they can't be traced in an attempt to avoid child support
but in doing so, not only are they depriving thier kids of valuable support, they also deny themselves of a possible better future.
fancy being "on the run" from the tax office for years on end? plark!!!
bugger that,
fancy rolling into the bank,
non paying parent:-
g'day mate i'd like to buy a house thanks {in a hope to provide a better future for thier kids? or even to start a new future with a new partner?},
bank manager:-
sure no probs, so did you bring your income documents?
do it right and the kids will benefit.
oh sorry, got a little off the track for a moment,
single mums underpaid?
dunno... | |
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