[user104658]

It really is illustrative of the UK mindset at the moment, to be honest. Even at the less extreme end of the scale - the kids of parents on benefits get the same "dirty looks" from certain people that their parents do, even though they (as children!) are obviously in no position to do anything about it. When messed up families are spending all of their money on themselves and the kids are in old clothes and not eating properly... The reaction (from many, not all) is "tough **** that's their parents' fault."

Dehumanised from birth.

The media and government have pushed with all of their might for a "selfish society" where people are more concerned about an extra £5 coming off their own taxes, than they are about other people's children. Of course, they also feel entirely justified in thinking that other people should care about THEIR children...