Is Britain Broken?

Underclass is a pejorative term, it’s the modern way of saying the undeserving poor. It stinks.

I feel so angry reading *skydancers" post.

There are people without "pride or ambition" in every rung of society. it may be illness: it may be poor parenting, abusive even.

but if its combined with lack of access to the help, support, the sense of possibilities, all the practical matters of resourcing growing up, and even hope that the better off have in family life, then the chances of "Getting out" are harder.

People from every background try to "take advantage" of the system and some do very well, like government ministers taking handouts of giving buddies handouts.

But the ones that you are calling out are the very ones least able to "make something of themselves.

shame on you.

Underclass does not refer to those who through no fault of their own are unable to work because of disability or ill health. I use the term to mean those who are fit and able but are too lazy to try or the irresponsible people who have children they can't afford or can't be bothered with. I am well aware of many like that where I live. Pretending such people don't exist is total nonsense.

I am sorry you haven't had the ambition or ability to get away from that awful place skydancer. It must be awful for you.

How very patronising. Get real.

Skydancer

Underclass does not refer to those who through no fault of their own are unable to work because of disability or ill health. I use the term to mean those who are fit and able but are too lazy to try or the irresponsible people who have children they can't afford or can't be bothered with. I am well aware of many like that where I live. Pretending such people don't exist is total nonsense.

Underclass….. untermensch. That’s what it sounds like.

What the hell has a word used by the Nazis got to do with this.

Skydancer

How very patronising. Get real.

Not at all! It must be terrible. Where I live, there aren't many people like you describe. In fact, I really don't know (or even know of) anybody like that.

growstuff

Skydancer

How very patronising. Get real.

Not at all! It must be terrible. Where I live, there aren't many people like you describe. In fact, I really don't know (or even know of) anybody like that.

There are plenty that abuse the system, work in the Black Economy, lie and cheat their way through life, denying that is just ignoring reality.

OK, if Britain is broken, where would it be better to live? Where shall we upsticks and move to?

Mamardoit

What the hell has a word used by the Nazis got to do with this.

Because when I read “underclass” that is what immediately came to my mind and I found that word and the whole post offensive.

growstuff

Skydancer

How very patronising. Get real.

Not at all! It must be terrible. Where I live, there aren't many people like you describe. In fact, I really don't know (or even know of) anybody like that.

You are fortunate in your part of our beautiful County growstuff if you were to venture to our newest City Centre you may be unpleasantly surprised.

Katie59

growstuff

Skydancer

How very patronising. Get real.

Not at all! It must be terrible. Where I live, there aren't many people like you describe. In fact, I really don't know (or even know of) anybody like that.

There are plenty that abuse the system, work in the Black Economy, lie and cheat their way through life, denying that is just ignoring reality.

But would you call those people an Untermensch?

I'm sure we can all think of people who have lied and cheated their way through life who have done very well for themselves ...

GrannyGravy13

growstuff

Skydancer

How very patronising. Get real.

Not at all! It must be terrible. Where I live, there aren't many people like you describe. In fact, I really don't know (or even know of) anybody like that.

You are fortunate in your part of our beautiful County growstuff if you were to venture to our newest City Centre you may be unpleasantly surprised.

Is it full of underclass?

The definition we've been given is "I use the term to mean those who are fit and able but are too lazy to try or the irresponsible people who have children they can't afford or can't be bothered with." Is your city centre really full of people like that?

I assume you mean Southend.

I do feel Britain is breaking. We have so many citizens who want it that way, only they know their agenda, they never applaud the good but oppose and critisise every thing, no government can actually govern any more because of all the minority groups talking louder than the main issues. We have a limited time on this Planet with Global warming and no it's not all our fault , we can't be responsible for things that happened many generations ago, it's ludicrous. I have four gorgeous, gc, I can't think of one country apart from NZ that is any better. They wouldn't go there and leave friends and family.
There are many things wanting and there are brilliant people doing their best to make them better. To build rather than destroy. I would not bring children into the world now, it's to uncertain, yet they have been my greatest joy, the young as they have nothing to compare it with feel differently.

growstuff

The definition we've been given is "I use the term to mean those who are fit and able but are too lazy to try or the irresponsible people who have children they can't afford or can't be bothered with." Is your city centre really full of people like that?

I cannot vouch for the majorities credentials growstuff I can only go by my all of our AC who avoid it because of the hoards of in their words dregs hanging around, the frequency of stabbings, fights, druggies and drunks.

What was a really good High Street for shopping, coffee and people watching is becoming a no go area for a lot of locals.

I agree underclass is an offensive term. The Uk though is historically a very class based society. The armed forces, for example, have very distinct officer and other rank demarcations although the officer class has clear responsibilities in the command chain. The Houses of Parliament also have clear demarcations in simple areas for example, temporary secretaries are not allowed to use any of the lifts but have to use the stairs. Very clear them and us. Certainly the practice in the 1970s and I don’t know if still the rule. Also seriously boring and very badly organised temp job but hey one of the experiences of life!

GranyGravy
It’s not becoming a no go area for a lot of locals: it has been a no go area for a long time.
When a local police inspector tells your son in law to keep the grandchildren away from the high street, you know that something is seriously wrong, but we already knew that.

MerylStreep

GranyGravy
It’s not becoming a no go area for a lot of locals: it has been a no go area for a long time.
When a local police inspector tells your son in law to keep the grandchildren away from the high street, you know that something is seriously wrong, but we already knew that.

It is so sad, I have fond memories of the High Street, and Adventure Island but we just do not go anywhere near it.

vegansrock

Thinking about the various ways the infrastructure of this country is broken, I’m wondering does anything work in this country?
Railways? Buses? Health service?Social care ? police? immigration? education ? mental health ? housing?
or are we just wallowing in the shit on our beaches? Even food banks are struggling.
Not a good look.

I looked back to the OP because, like others I was offended by the ‘underclass’ comment.
I’ve just read in the DM on line about a couple who had several children aged 4-17 and 35 dogs living in squalid conditions. Their benefits amounted to something in the region of £80,000 a year. The police were called to an incident of domestic abuse. The children and dogs were all taken to places of safety, the parents charged with neglect and have been sentenced to imprisonment.

This is the kind of incident that can lead to sweeping generalisations about benefit claimants. My response is it suggests our public services and communities are broken. How could this level of prolonged neglect go under the radar? 35 dogs are bound to make a lot of noise. The children should have been in school. Did neighbours report to agencies? How could this happen. So far, I’ve seen nothing reported about substance misuse/mental health problems or involvement of any agencies outside the incident that led the police to take immediate action.
This post isn’t a criticism of benefit claimants. I read the report on line and it prompted me to review this OP

This thread is quite depressing, isn't it?

What have we become?

It’s very depressing volver

growstuff

The definition we've been given is "I use the term to mean those who are fit and able but are too lazy to try or the irresponsible people who have children they can't afford or can't be bothered with." Is your city centre really full of people like that?

For over ten years I worked with the children of parents like that.
I could tell you stories of neglect that would shock you to the core.
The school was greatly improved when we had a huge influx of children from Polish and other Eastern European families.
I also worked with a large number of Roma children who were also living in extremely challenging circumstances.