Struggle Street

[rabbitearbandicoot]

so, who's watching this show tonight at 8:30 on SBS?

if it's not cancelled that is. The people involved have tried to get it wiped because it represents them in an unfavourable light.

[gleee58]

---

@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

" I thought he meant that he only has 110 left to shop with?"

just taking the husband's and wife's pensions at lowest rate = $660 + $660 fortnight - that's $660 per week, so where does the other $550 a week go to? Certainly not on rent. 

"Also 7 of his kids I believe were on some kind of payment he mentions that in the first 20 mins"

- so where does all that money go? 

" having 18 grandkids and he mentions stealing his food."

- what food? He says in one breath he only has $110 a week, so how much food would he buy with that $ to have stolen? He can't have it both ways.

As far as the scrounging for scrap metal - that was obviously just for the show. 

As I mentioned, some have a go no matter what their situation, and get out of there. Some will stay there all their lives and then their children will too. If they are genuinely sick like this man, then fair enough but MOST just make excuse after excuse and will blame everyone for their situation - EXCEPT THEMSELVES.

---

You don't know how much rent they pay or even if they pay a mortgage on their house.

Anyway you should have a ball piling it onto these people. Don't miss next weeks episode. There is sure to be more fodder to pick them apart over. 

[rabbitearbandicoot]

---

@gleee58 wrote:

---

@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

" I thought he meant that he only has 110 left to shop with?"

just taking the husband's and wife's pensions at lowest rate = $660 + $660 fortnight - that's $660 per week, so where does the other $550 a week go to? Certainly not on rent. 

"Also 7 of his kids I believe were on some kind of payment he mentions that in the first 20 mins"

- so where does all that money go? 

" having 18 grandkids and he mentions stealing his food."

- what food? He says in one breath he only has $110 a week, so how much food would he buy with that $ to have stolen? He can't have it both ways.

As far as the scrounging for scrap metal - that was obviously just for the show. 

As I mentioned, some have a go no matter what their situation, and get out of there. Some will stay there all their lives and then their children will too. If they are genuinely sick like this man, then fair enough but MOST just make excuse after excuse and will blame everyone for their situation - EXCEPT THEMSELVES.

---

You don't know how much rent they pay or even if they pay a mortgage on their house.

Anyway you should have a ball piling it onto these people. Don't miss next weeks episode. There is sure to be more fodder to pick them apart over. 

---

You forget, I am speaking / writing from personal experience.  {edit: Yes, I will watch next week's episode}

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

I watched the program online and caught up..

This is a serious Q, the family they featured - how come they have so many children? and grandchildren?

Im not looking to have a go, Im seriously wondering...

[gleee58]

---

@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

---

You forget, I am speaking / writing from personal experience.  {edit: Yes, I will watch next week's episode}

---

No, I didn't forget anything.

Your personal experience is not their personal experience.

[donnashuggy]

I hope they do a show on drug abuse in Double Bay, or one on high alcohol abuse in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.

As far as I am concerned brushing the realities of what is around us wherever we live under the carpet is just stupid.

Recently there have been articles showing that some of the most obese people live in Wagga Wagga and some of the fittest live in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. Unless it is untrue then there is nothing to be concerned about, these people in the show are from Mount Druitt aren't they?

[bella_again]

I believe and i could be wrong that they mentioned they lost everything when they went to Jail.  I didn't hear him blaming anyone else what I saw was a troubled man, a desperate man who has more than likely made extremely poor choices. I'm not saying that he shouldn't take responsibility for his own life.  I don't know about his kids but if they are adults they are responsible for their own choices, But having said that we really don't know their situation, we only know the media version and I won't be so quick to judge because that will not solve anything. Maybe it will become clearer in future episodes?

As for 660 a week for petrol rent, shopping, electricity, phone, medical expenses, debts and other bills actually isn't a hell of a lot.  Although he is better off than a lot on newstart. I agree with priorities but how does getting angry and kicking them while they are down help?  No there needs to be practical help, as in access to financial counselling, mental health help where appropriate and maybe if necessary even case management with a view to create greater independence into the future. Only the government is hell bent on cutting  alot of these services.

As I said people in these situations don't need judgement or a kick down they need empowerment. The sad reality is there are pockets of people like this all over Australia that have lost their way and are caught up in a cycle of poverty, abuse and other difficulties.

[bella_again]

rabbit I can only vaguely remember your situation.  I do hear you I just think everyone's situation is different.  I am not defending poor behaviour at all or implying personal responsibility isn't important.  It just concerns me that this is such a complex issue and we often think that its solved through penalising people when it needs a multi faceted approach.

I am sure if I remember correctly you do a great job in your situation but you have the ability to do so, the intellect, the life experience and possibly have a whole range of other factors that contribute to your ability to manage things well.  it's not the same for everyone.

[donnashuggy]

I kind of think that they do not have a good work ethic, that is something that many of us learn from our parents. If your parents don't have this ethic in the first place and instead blame blame blame it is a fairly difficult situation to overcome, especially when it is quite acceptable in your surrounding environment.

[bella_again]

Oh exactly enviroment plays a huge role in how we react and respond to our circumstances.  Also plays a big part in the choices we make.  You can't break that cycle in 5 minutes, its a process but a process that needs to happen in some cases.

[***super_nova***]

---

@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

just taking the husband's and wife's pensions at lowest rate = $660 + $660 fortnight - that's $660 per week, so where does the other $550 a week go to? Certainly not on rent. 

---

Why do you think that $550 would not be going on rent plus utilities, and maybe some repayments of loans/CCs?  Easily, if you consider car (rego, running costs, insurance) plus electricity, water gas ...........