Benefits in 'father unknown' cases must end - AN
Azzjoni Nazzjoni insisted today that the governemnt should withhold social services for mothers who declare that the father of their baby is unknown, except in cases of rape.
In a statement, the political party said the Government's disclosure that the percentage of children with an 'unknown father' has more than doubled in one single year from just over nine percent to nearly twenty percent seems to support the recent report that Malta is at the top of the league for sexually transmitted diseases.
"The fact that one in five children in Malta are registered as being the offspring of unknown provenance can only mean one of two things:
"Either that a substantial number of women are so promiscuous that they can't recollect with whom they are fornicating with on any given occasion, or that there is rampant social welfare abuse. In either case, it is an unacceptable level of irresponsibility which decent citizens should refuse to put up with, much less subsidise," the party said.
"Any decent person with an ounce of dignity would refrain from lumbering his child with a birth certificate which reads 'unknown father' in return for social benefits or other egoistic impulses. Yet, it is evident that the appeal to basic decency no longer cuts any ice with a growing segment of the population."
The party said the government has the moral obligation to address this shocking trend.
"It should be obvious by now that the culture of benefits fostered by the 'nanny' - or perhaps more accurately the 'father' State - not only fails to do good but on the contrary increasingly absolves the individual of his responsibilities. The ancient unit of a mother, a child and a father has morphed from monogamy into "bureaugamy," a mother, a child and a bureaucrat.
"Azzjoni Nazzjonali reiterates that benefits should be withheld from mothers who insist on not declaring the identity of the fathers of their children. Only in the circumstance of rape should there be an exception," the party argued.
This, it explained, was not a holy war on single mothers, but a moral obligation to bring those fathers who have been so far absolved of their obligations to account and to shoulder the consequences of their actions.
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48 Comments
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M. Mercieca
Jul 20th 2008, 20:03
@ Corinne Vella
Did I say that all single parents are women?
My point goes more for RECKLESS females that claim UNKNOWN FATHERS.
Can you answer the last question of my previous comment please?
Corinne Vella
Jul 20th 2008, 16:09
M. Mercieca: For all your moralising about Christian values, you do not exhibit any yourself in your comments here. You seem to have forgotten one particularly famous case of a child whose father was not the man to whom his mother was betrothed, but maybe that doesn't matter to you because there was no social benefit system at that time anyway.
Yes I did read your comments. That is why I said what I did. You erroneously assume that all single parents are women and that their status is due to their own recklessness so they must be punished.
Your concern with punishment is particularly disturbing and unpleasant. It seems you are more concerned with punishing people you consider 'fallen women' than with protecting the social security system for those who really need it. So much for your "Christian" values, and the assumption that it is only Christians who know how to lead a good life.
M. Mercieca
Jul 18th 2008, 23:42
@ Corinne Vella
Did you read all my comments down here?
Morality is a chain- We have traded our Christians values with sex, liberty-based values. The latter, produced unsolved social dilemmas of such as the unknown fathers and out of wed-lock kids and single parents. Since the latter is a product of females recklessness, they must be punished. What you think is milking our economy dry- single parents or irregular immigrants?
Corinne Vella
Jul 18th 2008, 16:35
M. Mercieca: Are you bothered about all payments to single mothers or just the fraudulent ones?
M. Mercieca
Jul 16th 2008, 19:57
@ Corinne Vella
15266. L-ONOR. ADRIAN VASSALLO staqsa lill-Ministru tal-Familja u tas-Solidarjeta' Soċjali: Tista' il-Ministru tgħid kemm ħareġ flus il-gvern is-sena l-oħra f'benefiċċji soċjali għal single mothers?
26/10/2005
ONOR. DOLORES CRISTINA: Ninsab infurmata li l-ammont imħallas fl-2004 f’benefiċċji u allowances taħt l-Att dwar is-Sigurta’ Soċjali lil single mothers kien Lm 3.13 miljuni.
Seduta 313
07/11/2005
Specific question about fraudulent claims by single mothers is a dull question. As if one is asking about genuine culprits!
Corinne Vella
Jul 15th 2008, 11:28
M. Mercieca: "They are milking our economy dry" Really? I asked elsewhere how much money is paid out against fraudulent claims by single mothers. You appear to have the answer. Would you publish it here?
M. Mercieca
Jul 15th 2008, 03:51
@ Anthony Borg
Love and forgiveness are very nice word of the Holly Bible. But, off-the Bible, in reality things are quite different. I have to pay my water and electricity bills next week, will Water Service Corporation accept my love, or would Austin Gatt forgive my dues?
Such irresponsible girls must not get pampered. They are milking our economy dry.
Corinne Vella
Jul 14th 2008, 16:52
Malcolm Seychell: As secretary general of a 'political party' with pretensions to power, you had better get your head around a few stark facts. The only sex life that is your business is your own. You're assuming way too much in believing mothers do not register their child's father's name simply to claim benefits fraudulently.
malcolm seychell
Jul 14th 2008, 12:45
Now the election is over. We should all put our differences aside and work together for the national interest. It is pathetic to find some people trying to defend such position. Every woman surely knows with whom she had sex in a particular month.
As I have said on many occasions the social services are being abused and this is a clear example. Social services should be there to help those who are in need and not those who want to steal from others.
Saviour Grech
Jul 14th 2008, 12:34
Good! I certainly agree with this argument - These type of people are social parasites and should be banned from getting any benefits from honest workers. If they made a mistake they should shoulder the consequences and not to encourage others to act the same way.
Corinne Vella
Jul 14th 2008, 12:13
Incidentally, how much money is being fraudulently claimed and paid out?
Corinne Vella
Jul 14th 2008, 11:56
Marcel Dingli: Do you know every single mother on the islands? If the answer's no, then don't make sweeping statements.
John Spiteri: I didn't get personal at all. I just wondered why a 'political party' should take so much interest in other people's sex lives. As you can see, I mentioned no names, though you did.
M. Attard
Jul 14th 2008, 11:28
As I already stated in last week's article - having your child registered as unknown is not all about the governments allowances. At least not for me !! By having my child registered as unknown NEVER gave me any beneficial rights believe me. I worked and cause I did I never received any allowances except for the minimum children s allowances. It goes beyong that. So please DO NOT GENERALISE !! And in my opinion people who know the law of unmarried parents better have that arranged rather than blaming the allowances for having such a rise in children with unknown fathers.
james debono
Jul 14th 2008, 11:26
AN is quoting the wrong figures (not their fault because the Minister himself was wrongly briefed by some civil servant before answering the PQ). Actually the National Office of Statistics has issued different figures in May.
The number of children born an unknown father amounts to 9% and the number has actually decreased between 2006 and 2007. The numbers have been stable for the past 3 years. In reality about two thirds of children born outside wedlock have a known father.
Anthony Borg
Jul 13th 2008, 11:15
As much as one would like to teach these people a lesson and not give them state help however how cannot one heap more punishment on the child? It is not the child's fault. And just a point to Mr Mercieca; you seem to know what Jesus wants quite well, the last time I had a chat with Him I got the idea that although He may not be happy with promiscuity; His love and forgiveness is boundless. By all means educate the young and old teach them about prevention and the use of condoms etc because you know what , you are not going to stop young people especially from engaging with sex. It's is natural and the Lord made it most pleasureable so all creatures engage in it. He must have forgotten to put a delay switch until one gets married.
Marcel Dingli
Jul 13th 2008, 09:15
@ Corinne Vella
No single mothers are not to blame for sexually transmitted diseases. It is the "i dont care attitude" which is the cause of both ills. Are you in favour of the i dont care attitude Corinne ?
philip pace
Jul 13th 2008, 09:01
I certainly hope that all the members of the Azzjoni Nazzjonali are really devout Roman Catholics and believe in Christ.
To come out with a statement like that is very egoistic, extreme and perverse indeed.
If that were to happen we would have begging mothers hovering around the entrance of Valletta.
And who would give them some eurocents as CHARITY? Everybody except the AN!
The writing of the line, 'seems to support the recent report that Malta is at the top of the league for sexually transmitted diseases', bears no weight on their argument. As it clearly states SEEMS and nothing else.
So AN do not mix facts with something which is not clear. Be more concise, to the point with the right clear and undisputable facts. BE CREDIBLE!
In olden times these children with no fathers were dumped into institutes and forgotten and were labelled as bastards and the righteous Roman Catholics Maltese gave them hell.
Never forget that it takes two to tango.
What is happening now are the signs of the times. I don't like it but can do nothing about it.
So what shall we do, go back to the Charles Dickens times?
Try
Denis Catania
Jul 13th 2008, 04:57
I somewhat agree with this article. A woman should have to point out the possible fathers, where they can be held accountable for that child. Taking social services away will be punishing the baby.
John Spiteri
Jul 12th 2008, 23:15
@corinne vella
"What is it about this motley crew that makes up AN that they should have such a prurient interest in other people's sex lives?"
perhaps because they have to subsidisethe consequences with their hard earnt money?
and why do people like you feel that you have to get personal? out of arguments are we?
Corinne Vella
Jul 12th 2008, 19:12
More wisdom from Azzjoni Nazzjonali, I see. Single mothers are now to blame for the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, are they? That would make them all lesbians who never have sex with men, which is good news for those in the artificial insemination business. What is it about this motley crew that makes up AN that they should have such a prurient interest in other people's sex lives?
WJ Gatt
Jul 12th 2008, 17:26
Maybe we should take these 'single' mothers on Maury Povic for a paternity test. I'm sure that they wouldn't be sure who the father would be...as always....
S Cutajar
Jul 12th 2008, 16:23
"Single" mothers declaring 'father unknown' are STEALING hard-earned benefits that Maltese workers have been working for. AN are right in insisting on this issue. Irresponsible behaviour should not be rewarded.
DNA testing should be made compulsory when such cases are officially registered and benefits given only when this test is completed by competent health authorities.
M.Mercieca
Jul 12th 2008, 16:05
@L-Galea
The problem is not DNA test. The core issue is that sex has become the trend of being open minded. While in fact we are heading backward.
We are stalemated. We have traded our Christians values with sex, liberty-based values. The latter, produced unsolved social dilemmas of such as the unknown fathers and out of wed-lock kids.
I am sure Jesus is not happy to see 99.9 of females having sex at the age of 14 or 15 years.
Jesus is not happy to see teenager pregnant mothers.
Jesus is not happy to see the chastity or a virgin girl has become news.
Jesus is not happy to see teenagers are immersed in both drugs and alcoholic
Jesus is not happy to see 25-30 % of our born babies are either of unknown fathers or out of wed-lock.
Ops, sorry I forgot that we are living in 2008 and we are getting modern ! But are we?
Better we blame irregular immigrants for this issue too.
L Galea
Jul 12th 2008, 15:42
Charles DeMicoli,
in that case the careless and irresponsible mother must bear the consequences of her actions not shove them on us.
Joe Tabone-Adami
Jul 12th 2008, 15:32
Are we talking of stray canines heedlessly roaming our streets - or of adult human beings who should be accountable for their actions? As things stand, it is 80% of the population who is being saddled with unnecessary tax-burdens. This has somehow got to stop.
Joseph V. Grech
Jul 12th 2008, 15:17
I agree completely with the article. People - and the authorities - know that the present situation is creating abuse. Taxpayers do not mind seeing those who really deserve being helped out but we object vehemently when we see rampant abuse happening as is the case with a number of single parents obtaining financial support in the face of circumstances that are not that acceptable. These people have their own responsibilities to attend to in life...why make others (including their children) have to bear the consequences of their irresponsibilities?
Joanne Micallef
Jul 12th 2008, 14:51
All women have to do is use a condom, apart that no self respecting single woman will endanger her well being by engaging in unprotected sex. I believe that not giving any benefits to these women who claim they don’t know who the father of their child is, will not only help to alleviate the burden on the state, but most importantly will empower them, help them value their life and therefore consciously get their self respect back.
Law. Attard Bezzina
Jul 12th 2008, 13:51
I fully concur with AN on this issue
v.pulis
Jul 12th 2008, 13:37
One question. How many mothers are claiming not one, but several benefits for offspring by 'unknown' fathers? Is there a limit as to how many children a woman may bear before suspicion starts creeping in? Even in the case of rape the mother would know who the rapist is. we are not living in a war zone where women are raped byunknown soldiers. AN is right on this one.
Clinton Caruana
Jul 12th 2008, 13:18
Yes with this one definitely agreed! It's like telling the women: "Enjoy your body and then the state will help you."
People should be held responsabile for their actions made intentionally!
Charles DeMicoli
Jul 12th 2008, 13:10
What if a good number of these "unknown" fathers are tourists. They come to Malta for a short while, and then they leave. Maybe this report will keep them coming back. Another option is to have the moms give a list of possible fathers, do DNA tests, and if they find the right one, make him contribute.
Marcel Dingli
Jul 12th 2008, 13:05
@ James Sultana
Ha ha. Very funny !!!! What has Dr Josie Muscat have to do with all this ? OK he is the leader of Azzjoni Nazzjonali. He is the Chief. Can there be a Chief without indians? Your comment is an insult to all.
L Galea
Jul 12th 2008, 12:58
@A Muscat.
The authorities can check the DNA of the different gardeners.
If the gardener is not found out, then NO Benefits
The mother must then shoulder her irresponsibility for allowing many gardeners to water her flowers.
A Camilleri
Jul 12th 2008, 12:54
Well said, AN. The analysis should be so blatantly obvious, that this is just a matter of the government and the opposition turning a blind eye so as not to lose votes. In turn it encourages other to follow suit. Inertia is compounding the problem which explains the dramatic rise in just one year.
It gives us such pleasure knowing to what use our taxes are being put. This, along with no less than 25% of maltese households who pay no water and electricity subsidies, illegal immigration and God knows what else... the list is probabbly endless.
D Delia
Jul 12th 2008, 12:49
AN is right. It has been right on this issue since the time before the last General Election.
Recently in the Unites States there has been a move to legislate and enforce these single mothers to disclose the identity of the father otherwise they would have a substantial part of their Social Assistance cut. Once the identity of the father is disclosed and proved than the father would have to own up and share part of the responsibility (financially).
This would make a good suggestion for next year’s Budget. But I think such steps will never take place. Primarily the Government is so proud of assisting the 30,000 ‘familji fil-bzonn’ which these single mothers will surely form part of. The more the number the nicer the government looks. On the other hand if the government would take such bold steps it would get a good hammering from the Opposition for deteriorating our social benefits.
So for the decent citizen …either join the club with the possibility of scraping some benefits or pay up your taxes and make good for their planned ‘mistake’.
Marcel Dingli
Jul 12th 2008, 12:42
Azzjoni Nazzjonali seem to have got it right on quite a few points. Pity the electorate didnt realise earlier.
A.Muscat
Jul 12th 2008, 12:35
How would you expect them to claim babies of known fathers while the flowers are getting watered many times a day by various gardeners?
Francis Bonello
Jul 12th 2008, 12:34
I agree with AN on this issue
James Sultana
Jul 12th 2008, 12:31
I assume that to set a clear example of how things should be done, Dr. Josie will as from this very moment forget all about the large sums of money he makes from these situations and declare that unless a joint declaration form is filled in by both parents, he will not give birth to those babies who will be "labelled" father unknown in his clinics and hospitals.
Joanne Micallef
Jul 12th 2008, 12:18
Spot on. Let’s just hope that now that the election is over our parlament will embrace this suggestion. With inflation so high and Goverment expenditure stretched to its limits, it's very unfair that we honest tax payers have to make good for other people’s irresponsible behaviour.
n camilleri
Jul 12th 2008, 12:15
OH RIGHT!!! i do not think it takes big studies and statistics to see that people are taking advantage of social services and of us decent citizens who go out to work and pay taxes to help the ''workless and poor''!! It works like this.......... a couple decide to earn some extra money without declaring any tax or for that matter working hard for it, so what they do is declare that they have either separated , or ended up as a single parent etc.,, etcc........ and then get all the benefits, including social care, health benefits, children's allowance, help with rent and the list is endless........... of course if these cases are not being checked out the percentage will soon increase not just double. Let the rest of Malta pay taxes to support the unfortunate and the workless !!!! Hipp hipp hurrah for the hard workers!!!!
David Bonello
Jul 12th 2008, 11:43
AN are right on the money this time! The government is shelling out a fortune to these people, who lead the life of Riley, whilst taxes upon taxes upon taxes are imposed on hard-working citizens who have to keep these lazy bums in the style which they've grown accustomed.
Adrian Cardona
Jul 12th 2008, 11:20
I agree with AN on this. It's impossible for a full 20% of births to be to unknown fathers.
Gavin, it IS a question of education, these people don't use contraception and have no concept of safe sex, but it is still impossible that they don't know who the father is. Declaring 'unknown' gives them social benefits while still most probably being taken care of by the father. It is an abuse of the system, and in these days of surcharges, taxes and higher cost of living, the government would do well to clamp down hard on such abuses. That's where a lot of money is being drained away.
John Schembri
Jul 12th 2008, 11:10
I think AN on this one are right.
Gavin Attard
Jul 12th 2008, 10:52
Of coarse, bingo thats it. spot on. They are having kids, then telling the father to fob off, to claim benefits.
Its a brilliant scam, makes me want to be a female. I mean it ha`s nothing to do with education, these people are obviously dead smart to dream up such a scam. Blimey.
My next vote goes to AN - NOT!
Ade Camilleri
Jul 12th 2008, 10:28
These people are hilarious!!! Keep up the good work, gents, you'll make Queen Victoria proud, eventually.
L Galea
Jul 12th 2008, 10:01
The policy should be "Unknown Father: No Benefits"
Even in cases of rape the father is most probably known or can be found out through DNA testing and should be made to shoulder his responsibility.
The rest of the people should not shoulder the responsibility of irresponsible fathers and mothers.
Can the authorities, including the Church authorities please provide statistics on how many persons found out that they were half-siblings when they had already made arrangements to get married?
It would be the most interesting bit of statistics ever published in tiny Malta and Gozo.
n.saliba
Jul 12th 2008, 09:51
i fully concur