hey English members ...a question ...

[nalani]

In European Women's History we're learning about the "Family Wage" .. actually, we're learning about the attempts at changing that to the "Family allowance" ... anyway, is that still available there? I mean, when you have a child, do you automatically get it or is it something you have to apply for?

 

[Leslie]

we get a 'baby bonus' every month...is that what you're talking about?

 

[nalani]

you guys too, Les? Wow ... what's the bonus about? How do you get it and what are the parameters?

See, in EWH, we were discussing the Family Wage and how that went to the male member of the home .. and often times the money wouldn't be used for the family ... and we talked about a woman named Rathbone who wanted to change that to Family Allowance and have it go to the woman of the house who would use it for food and education and what not ... but that never took off ... anyway, I was just curious if the Family Wage was something that's still happening ...

 

[Leslie]

here, the Child Tax Benefit (baby bonus) run by the Federal Government is given to the primary caregiver of the children, whoever that may be...to be used in caring for the children. You apply once and once only, and the rate is reassessed yearly based on family income and number of children. Right now, I get $595.80 per month...this will go up next month as Larry's income is taken out of the equation.

also, the Ontario gov't has instituted for lower income working families, a monthly supplement meant to take the pain out of daycare costs...again, based on our income and the # of kids, I get 91.50, which will again go up. This you must reapply for yearly, it only takes into account children under 7.

 

[kuulani]

Holy phreakin cow!! America so doesn't take care of mothers and children!!

 

[Luis G]

i knew in some european countries paid you for having more than 2 children, but i didn't know that in Canada they paid for each

 

[Leslie]

Holy phreakin cow!! America so doesn't take care of mothers and children!!

your maternity leave laws really piss me off I must say

 

[nalani]

WOW! *is looking into how many Hawaiians are in Canada* well, I know some people around Canada ... I wouldn't be alone, at least ... but is there surfing in Canada for my son ... and will Canadian kids mind being bossed around by my Hawaiian daughter ... and who'll play ukulele with my other son ... hmm... so many questions ...

hmm... how much does it snow there, Les?

 

[nalani]

Holy phreakin cow!! America so doesn't take care of mothers and children!!

your maternity leave laws really piss me off I must say

hehehe .. yeah ... mothers are so loved ... you get a whole 6 weeks to be a mom and you only get paid if you have TDI coming to you ...



and then they wonder why kids are so phucked up these days

 

[Leslie]

In BC, not so much...and there's still baby bonus there...and that's where the surfing would be if there was any...

but right here, lots 'n' lots of snow

 

[kuulani]

lots of snow, huh? oh well na, you could always start a Poli'ahu worship in Canada

(Poli'ahu is our snow goddess)

 

[nalani]

hehehehehe .... ooohhh.... Poli'ahuism ... that could take off there, couldn't it? I could have my own following!

MUUUHAHAHAHAHA!!! THE POWER WOULD BE MINE!!! ALLLLL MIIIINNNNNEEEE!!!!

 

[Leslie]

you actually have a snow goddess?

 

[Leslie]

Found her!

 

[chcr]

Holy phreakin cow!! America so doesn't take care of mothers and children!!

You seem surprised.

 

[Gato_Solo]

In the US, parents are primarily responsible for the welfare of their children...Fathers are also responsible for supporting their children. If everyone acts responsibly then there is no problem with our system.

 

[A.B.Normal]

In the US, parents are primarily responsible for the welfare of their children...Fathers are also responsible for supporting their children. If everyone acts responsibly then there is no problem with our system.

The origins of the "baby bonus " is to reward and encourage people to have children not support or provide welfare.

 

[unclehobart]

Yeah... We don't do that in the US because we already have 275 million. Canada has lots of elbow room.

 

[ris]

we have family allowances and child tax credit. they are changing the system at the moment so that if the family wants to the benefits can go to the parent of choice.
not sure now it all works as i don't have kids but i think that if you are unemployed or earning below a certain amount [as single or couple] and have kids then you get extra tax allowances that are paid to you or something. not sure how it works when you are earning above the threashold, i would guess the allowances are removed.

 

[nalani]

Gato - that was an idealisticly Utopian statement ... one that I agree with on a global level. Unfortunately, that's not the way it is ... sometimes by choice and sometimes by circumstance.

ris - the Family Allowance vs Family Wage thing is so fascinating to me. It seems, when it was first thought of, there was a wish to return to some sort of Socialist environment - to bring everyone up to par, so to speak. It is/was a fascinating idea, well, what I've read of it so far ... and that's not much