I got a scholarship to spend my last year of school in Sweden. The school lunches were amazing. I grew up in a poor and protein deficient household, and having meat and veges for 2+ meals a day in Sweden was incredible. It showed me what adequate nutritious food can do for a person. Once I could afford it as an adult I've always prioritised eating well, as it makes so much difference. It's a luxury to have that choice available to me though, both in terms of time and space for growing, and money for purchasing.
I was born in 1954. Although there is no doubt that people were living in poverty as I grew up, there were supports like State housing, low interest housing loans, cheap at free medical care, unionism for all (and therefore a form of wage protection) and the family benefit. There was support for the sick and the unemployed and universal super at 65. Some basic foods were subsidized These supports have been whittled away or entirely removed. In "my day" people understood that community support is needed, not a frill or an add-on. Memories of the Great Depression were still raw.
Anyone raising children these days is almost entirely at the mercy of their employer for a decent wage (and often have to work at two or more jobs to. Keep their head above water) and landlord or bank for housing. State housing is no longer cheap or a right - it has to be fought for both to gain and retain. Those who are sick or injured are hounded to return to work, single mothers (who had no supports until the early 70s) are forced to leave their children in care to return to low paid jobs.
And has life in general improved? No, it has not. All this pain for no gain.
As the old saying goes ... love walks behind. Of course we must walk behind and nourish New Zealand's children. It's the right thing to do, and they are NZ's future.
I got a scholarship to spend my last year of school in Sweden. The school lunches were amazing. I grew up in a poor and protein deficient household, and having meat and veges for 2+ meals a day in Sweden was incredible. It showed me what adequate nutritious food can do for a person. Once I could afford it as an adult I've always prioritised eating well, as it makes so much difference. It's a luxury to have that choice available to me though, both in terms of time and space for growing, and money for purchasing.
I was born in 1954. Although there is no doubt that people were living in poverty as I grew up, there were supports like State housing, low interest housing loans, cheap at free medical care, unionism for all (and therefore a form of wage protection) and the family benefit. There was support for the sick and the unemployed and universal super at 65. Some basic foods were subsidized These supports have been whittled away or entirely removed. In "my day" people understood that community support is needed, not a frill or an add-on. Memories of the Great Depression were still raw.
Anyone raising children these days is almost entirely at the mercy of their employer for a decent wage (and often have to work at two or more jobs to. Keep their head above water) and landlord or bank for housing. State housing is no longer cheap or a right - it has to be fought for both to gain and retain. Those who are sick or injured are hounded to return to work, single mothers (who had no supports until the early 70s) are forced to leave their children in care to return to low paid jobs.
And has life in general improved? No, it has not. All this pain for no gain.
Such good points. Collective care, so important ❤️
As the old saying goes ... love walks behind. Of course we must walk behind and nourish New Zealand's children. It's the right thing to do, and they are NZ's future.
Very well written and spot on. Thank you
Thank you 🌸
👍💯🫂💜Spot on as usual
Thank you!
Totally agree. Oh, if only it was so.