Numbers on a widow's benefit;
1975 16,738
1990 12,676
2004 8,601
The decreasing numbers reflect men's growing life expectancy, the gradual disappearance of war widows and greater likelihood of remarriage. Here's what I find interesting.
Welfare state proponents say the DPB hasn't shaped people's behaviour. It is not a lifestyle choice. Single parenthood is pretty much accidental, unplanned or unforeseen. A bit like widowhood. In which case one would expect the numbers on the DPB to remain fairly steady reflecting demographic and labour market changes.
Let's see what happened to the DPB numbers;
1975 17,231
1990 94,823
2004 109,021
I accept the picture is complex and many arguments can be made for the blow-out in the latter group but I hold that the stark contrast is essentially about choice.
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I have stated the same before, that MANY make a choice to go on the DPB, as a lifestyle choice.
This is usually refuted by the argument that nobody would knowingly chose such a lifestyle- the money isn't very good anyway.
Wrong.
What is crap money to one is relative riches to someone who has never held a real job or subsisted on unemployment for a single person.
I have personally heard young girls planning the DPB as their source of income- and seen them pushing the pram later that year. (Ex prison officers are very good at overhearing converstions ;-)
Not once, but many times over the years.
Hell, a schoolteacher (Taita college, mid 80's)I knew actually used to them not to bother trying to get jobs- just get knocked up and go on the DPB- they would never get a job that paid more, in any case!
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