I completly agree ^
i also feel very passionate about people who claim who shouldnt.
Like you i am one of seven, my father constantly left for months on end, for other woman and returned when he liked.. my mother raised us single handedly, whilst dealing with her own emotional issues and trying to protect us. we never had anything, we had food and water, and heating when we could afford to. My mum had no family to help her and couldnt work due to have so many dependant young children. We have always struggled, so i am VERY greatful now that i CAN work. That i bring in money all by myself, and do you know what.. Joe makes 4 times what i do on a flat month, but its still money we need.. and id rather work for what seems like nothing to some, than claim or not work at all.
I feel very privelidged now.
When i was at college a few years ago i didnt count for EMA because i was too young, then the year i turned 16 i couldnt get it then either because my mums earnings were too low. I had to bus it to college 5 days a week which cost my mum £5 a day. She just couldnt afford this but she did it untill i managed to find a waitressing job. I could only get 8 hours of work per week, and i was on £4 an hour. I hated every second but i did it because i wanted my education and i knew that the £25 per week she would save meant more towards the bills.
My mum is currently training to become a childminder so she can look after my niece whilst working, the money she will get will be crap.. but she has to because my youngest brother turned 9 in march and she was told she HAS to go to work now. They dont care my 15 yr old brother has very bad mental health problems and is constantly leaving school and walking off, getting hurt, into fights and at worse attempting suicide. My youngest michael, who is 9. Is still greiveing for his dad, who my mum has worked hard to maintain a positive memory of since he died when michael was very young. Michael gets picked on and has dyslexia. He is often sent home from school.
my mum hasnt worked not because she doesnt want to, but because she is needed by her family far too often, that she is an unreliable employee.
My mum relys on family allowance. I honestly dont know what shes going to do!