[Livia]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Overly simplistic; for one, this has not described the situation at any point throughout history... We're in a situation now where normal families can't self-sustain without tax credits. Tax credits were created for a reason; to keep wages (especially minimum) artificially low. In other words, they are a standard part of "normal" wages.

Secondly... If what you are suggesting came to pass and only those who "can afford it" have kids (realistically, an income of £26k after tax for one parent, or that combined with two but only if free childcare such as a grandparent is available, which is a big if) then within a couple of decades we would be in the midst of a massive birth rate / population drop, and the economy would crumble. Add another 30 years and we have an aged population that would make the current pension woes seem laughable, and the entire system would implode.

Your other option for stable population is mass immigration. But under your suggestion, we don't want unskilled immigrants who can't support themselves and their families. Which means only allowing well off / professional migrations. ... ... And why on earth would anyone in that category want to come to Britain?

Who exactly do you suggest would be filling working class positions in 50 years time if we effectively sterilise the working class? Face it; a consumer economy needs it's drones, and top-up benefits are how those drones are paid for. It's OK if a single mum doesn't work, so long as her offspring are moulded into effective workers. Her job is to be a "breeder" and her benefits are her pay. A problem only arises if she doesn't raise her children to be effective.

Of course I'm not suggesting that any of this is a good thing. The system is ****. But your solution is also ****.

Overly complicated.

My parents would have loved a big family, but they couldn't afford one. Consequently, it's just me and my brother. My mother always worked and so did my father. Maybe we should go back to that kind of family planning. We've had free contraception since the sixties, there's no excuse really.