Welfare Reform Proposals Missing Vital Ingredient

The Kiwi Party
Press Release

May 31, 2011

"The Kiwi Party agrees our welfare system needs a shakeup", says deputy leader Simonne Dyer, "but nowhere in the Welfare Working Group's recommendations is there an endorsement of marriage as a primary factor in the economic well-being of Kiwis and therefore of New Zealand."

"Yet another recently released study on family structure and economic outcomes in the US found that married couple families on average generate the most income and have the greatest net worth. Following on this the study shows that children in married, two parent families enjoy more economic well-being than children in any other family structure, while poverty rates are significantly higher among cohabiting couple families and single parent families than among married couple families.

"The Kiwi Party is not wanting to "point the finger" at solo parents or cohabiting couples", continued Dyer. "I was a solo parent with four young children after my husband died and I am very grateful for the help I received from our welfare system. But in light of our increasing numbers of solo parent families and the inevitable resulting economic disadvantage for both the parents and children, it is time to uncompromisingly state the facts - stable married couple families provide the best means of raising secure happy children who go on to live fulfilled lives and play significant roles in the development of their nation.

"It's time the "M" word was reintroduced into conversation, our children's education, policy decisions, counseling, public discourse, etc, etc," concluded Dyer.

Ends

© Scoop Media