Benefits: the route to ruin?

Trawling the world wide web for information about the recession's impact on young people I came across a Times Online article 'Recession threatens to create a beaten generation' written by Daisy McAndrew. This rather brief and out of touch take on the issue saw the author argue that:

'Others had more personal and serious worries. The stigma, as they saw it, of “ending up on benefits” was one. Some, through watching friends or family on benefits, were all too aware of its dangers, of the damage that it can do, not least leading to drinking and drugs — “either doing them or selling them”, as one said...All the options open to kids to make the best of their chances are pretty much money-dependant. For example: to get some valuable work experience on your CV you could get a job abroad, or do unpaid work here or voluntary work for a charity. But if your parents have a low income — or no income — how do you fund that?' (McAndrew http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article6513328.ece)

Give the woman a cigar! If your parents have a low income you can't afford to work for free eh? Well thanks for pointing that out Daisy dear. This glaringly obvious assertion which concludes the vacant article seems to be the principle problem neglected by the welfare and benefits system. While government schemes such as Graduate Talent Pool match graduates with unpaid internships in order to boost their CVs, there is no provision for those who cannot afford to remain unpaid. Those of us born without a silver spoon wedged firmly between our teeth must take what paid employment we can get, whilst the privileged can idle away their time gaining 'transferable skills' as unpaid interns.

The suggestion that being on benefits leads to drug and alcohol abuse is deeply insulting, and only serves to perpetuate the very 'stigma' she sites earlier in the article. She also seems to insinuate that if you are from a low-income family and are on benefits you are somehow linked to a murky criminal drugs culture! It is this sort of petty narrow minded view that all those who receive benefits are criminal low lives, who wear tracksuits and walk rottweilers on ropes that stops bright youngsters from going out and getting the help they are entitled to. It is important that young people do not delay signing on for jobseeker's allowance if they are entitled to it as it gives the government accurate statistics of how many people under 25 are out of work.

I am under 25, from a low-income family and was (until recently) receiving jobseeker's allowance. I do not deal drugs or wear a tracksuit. However, I did feel ashamed signing on. Ashamed and useless, and it is simply not fair that young people should be made to feel like this. We were promised the world by our teachers and governors, worked hard in our exams, taken on part time work to supplement our loans, been saddled with debt - they owe us that measly £50 per week. If you need it then walk into that jobcentre with your head held high and claim what you are owed. And Daisy dearest, when describing the 18-25 age bracket don't call us 'kids' unless you don't mind us calling you an 'old fogey', not very flattering is it.