ALP's plans for (single) teenage mums

[AndrewTheEmu]

Just curious of your position&opinion.

[sweetseven]

Note: It is for those on parenting payment which includes low-income partnered parents as well as single ones.

Also, your poll doesn't take into account whether or not the person answering in young enough to be effected. (I am on parenting payment, so marked that box, but I am too old to be effected by this ruling.)

[zombiekitty]

What age does it go up to?

[OJandMe]

I am on parenting payment,

and I think the 'idea' has merit.

But the timing is completely wrong.

As our society stands now there is:

- lack of support and approval for teenage mums to be in schools
- lack of adequate and affordable child care arrangements
- lack od understanding and support from workplaces, and the government in providing appropriate training for young mums
-lack of responsibility on the fathers of these babies to help the baby's mum continue their education
- lack of resources in these communities to allow successful implementation of the program
-lack of CARE, SYMPATHY and SUPPORT for the physical, mental, social and emotional issues that stem from being a teenage Mum.

In terms of this program:
- 6 months is too young. Babies have a right to be breastfed until 12 months without Mum's being stressed about having to work or study before then.
- Mothers and babies have a right to have the first year to establish sleep/feed patterns, and parent-child relationships.


I would love to see:
- more schools with on-site creches and flexible classes to cater for teenage mums
- more schools with parent education programs for both boys and girls
- more workplaces with 'parent partnership' programs to help teen parents learn the required workplace skills with appropriate expectations on them and understanding of a work-life-parent balance
- more affordable flexible childcare arrangements within workplaces to allow mothers to continue breastfeeding.

until parents are respected in society and children are valued .. (which they are NOT... this is why our world is so screwed up... all the 'adults' want their 'rights' upheld with no thought to the effect of some of these things on children... violence and sex being the main offenders)
I can't see this working.

But I would love to see a society where as a COMMUNITY we support our young parents and children to develop healthy and worthwhile attitudes to education and personal ambition.

[Hooves]

I receive parenting payments, and I think this idea is not workable, at all.

I think the Idea is a good one, but needs a lot of work, to make it work. The time frame for this is wrong too.

Honestly, they have to look at the big picture, and forcing people to do this, regardless of age or economics, is going to cause more problems.

Some of which are going to be felt by everyone, regardless of income or age.

[Benji]

I am not on parenting payment and am against the proposed plan. I'm for education for young parents, job opportunities for young parents and better resources for young parents but against threatening them.

Where there's a will, there's a way. If young parents need to be at home with their young ones they will - even if it means living in further poverty than they already do.

[Annabella]

What age is it aimed at? Does it affect men?

[trishalishous]

What age is it aimed at? Does it affect men?

It is aimed at teen girls. Men would only be affected in the rare case of being a solo dad on PP

[sunnyflower]

I am on part parenting payment and i am FOR the plan.

I don't think the babies should be at six months of age , i'd say around two.

I think that we are very lucky in Australia to receive the social support we do and i think in the past the government has been way too lenient in dishing out money and not expecting anything back,it doesn't work and creates dependant ,helpless people.

I think the idea has a lot of merit and in conjunction with affordable childcare and flexible study arrangements could be very beneficial to teen mums.

[overitand36]

I am on part parenting payment and i am FOR the plan.

I don't think the babies should be at six months of age , i'd say around two.

I think that we are very lucky in Australia to receive the social support we do and i think in the past the government has been way too lenient in dishing out money and not expecting anything back,it doesn't work and creates dependant ,helpless people.

I think the idea has a lot of merit and in conjunction with affordable childcare and flexible study arrangements could be very beneficial to teen mums.

Good idea but 2 would be way to long teens need to finish high school at soon as possible maybe a time frame similar to maternity leave for working mums, but like others have said childcare and flexibility would be the key to it working

[Hootenanny]

OJandMe some fantastic points which I agree with, but from what I have read they will 'plan' at 6 months with a view to commencing studies etc at 12 months. I still think that is too early and should be pushed back another 12 months.



In terms of this program:
- 6 months is too young. Babies have a right to be breastfed until 12 months without Mum's being stressed about having to work or study before then.
- Mothers and babies have a right to have the first year to establish sleep/feed patterns, and parent-child relationships.