Benefits street...your thought?

[Paladin-Hoss]

Okay, i know that most of you here are Yanks, but to those of you that are from the UK or Europe,chances are you'veheard of this highly controversial series.

Basically it's a reality show about the people that lives on James Turner street in England. There are more than 10 different nationalities and about 90% of the people that lives there, lives from benefits.

I remember hearing about this series from a works centre in my town when i was applying for a job. They have news clippings and posters about this series( i live in the Netherland)

It's a real eye opener for sure.You can watch full episodes on Yt if you're interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFsIMBViOzI

 

[Octoberist]

I think it's interesting to see this side of country like England.

I think for our stereotypical issues we have here, it's not an exclusive problem that America has. It's a problem everywhere.

But watching this footage, wow, how universal. It's like watching 'The Wire'.

I'm sure in America, we would call this 'Welfare St' or something like that.

 

[Paladin-Hoss]

It is interesting isn't it. To learn that not all the people who lives from benefits are automatically thieves, scroungers or whatever you may wanna call them.

 

[The Endless]

Yea but the majority of them are still lazy bastards who shouldn't be allowed to have kids. There is one woman on there who is perhaps the worst mother i've ever seen. And she's proud of the fact that she hasn't worked in 20 odd years.

 

[KevanG]

I lived across the street from the low rentals for years and until the past few it was a terrible place with the cops showing up 3-4 times a day on the weekends and drunk folks passed out on lawns in the summer. Then the government changed the rules and said that if you get the cops called on you three times in a six month period or if you're arrested and charged with drugs, you're out. Now it's fairly quiet with only the cops coming around every week or so.

Mind you there are a number of folks there who aren't lazy druggies who refuse to get a job. They have to be on welfare due to various issues. I have no issue with them as they aren't the ones who keep stealing things off peoples property like bikes and BBQs. It's the ones who keep annoying the cops and setting off fireworks at 3 IN THE ****ING MORNING THAT TICK ME OFF!

 

[Paladin-Hoss]

Yea but the majority of them are still lazy bastards who shouldn't be allowed to have kids. There is one woman on there who is perhaps the worst mother i've ever seen. And she's proud of the fact that she hasn't worked in 20 odd years.

White dee? the woman who suffered from depression?

Black dee...that one is an odd one indeed. she was the one giving the young mother advice not to work and stay home for the kids instead.

Understandable, if not for the fact the husband of that young mother didn't have a job and never had one.

But still, some of the people there just got caught in bad situation and don't have a way out...like the Polish workers.

 

[The Endless]

White Dee yea. She suffered from depression sure, but the best way to get out of depression is to try and do something with your life. It's obviously hard, but sitting on your arse all day isn't the answer. That will make you even more depressed.

Problem is, there isn't a real motivation for them to work. Why bother earning your money when you can knock out a couple of kids and get a council house and money handed to you?

 

[Paladin-Hoss]

Do you know how much they get? i'm curious.

In my country, it's around 800-900 Euro's a month.

More if you've got kids.

If you're on benefits, you're also eligible for special aids to help with rent. Around 200 Euro's a month. and about 80 Euro's for health insurance.