Single mothers can receive free contraception if they want it. The new policy is that a single mother on a benefit has to look for part-time work when the child is five. However, if she has another child while she is on a benefit, she has to look for work when that child is one year old. Paula Bennett, the Social Development Minister, says that the government will pay the cost of long-term contraception. However, women will have a choice about using contraception.
The government will also offer contraception to the teenage daughters of women on a benefit, if they are between the ages of 16 and 19.
The new policy is to try to stop women from becoming dependent on a benefit and to help them get jobs. There will be more money to help pay for childcare.
Listen to November 1st 2011 to hear more about single mothers on a benefit.
Vocabulary
• contraception – stops a woman getting pregnant
• benefit – money from the government to support the woman and her children
• dependent on – need
Questions
• Do you think a mother of a one-year old child should look for part-time work?
• Why is it sometimes difficult for single mothers to work outside the home?
• What is the difference between short-term and long-term contraception?
• What are your views about contraception for 16 to 19 year olds?
If she had a husband or a regular partner, I think it is ok sea has a part time job. Since your partner could share the work with child care. Single mothers needs someone to help, if they don’t have help they couldn’t work outside the home without put your child in a risk situation. Long-term contraceptiom are more confident methods, although more intrusive too. For me, long term-contraception are for women above 22 yers old while short-term methods are good for all ages. There are just one problem. Short-term contraception needs more attention in its use, so there are a risk of wrong use, or bad memory.
I think mother of a one year old child shouldn’t look for a job,the child still need to look after .some employer concern single mother has child can not concentrate on her job.