I was a single parent. Had I not been able to afford to care for and nurture my child, with the help of what was then called family allowance, I would not have had him. I have been a socialist all my adult life, and had welfare support at one time, but I think the two-child cap is more than fair (In the rage over the two-child benefits cap, one fact gets lost: this is state control of women’s bodies, 28 July).
Many countries do not give any benefit for children. The responsibility for their upkeep lies with the parents. If you can’t afford to keep them, don’t have them. To talk of “state control of women’s bodies” is ludicrous. Women, especially in this country, can choose whether to get pregnant or not. Women choose, and if they cannot afford to feed and clothe them, then hardship is their choice. I don’t believe the state should provide for endless children.
Put simply, only have the number of children you can support yourself, be thankful for the benefit you receive for the first two, and think carefully before you produce another mouth to feed.
Eleanor Talbot
Hawarden, Flintshire
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