1

Guern abroad

I expect this has only been put up on the site in order to generate comments!
I could make many but for now I will pause the keyboard!

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3

Donkey's Wotsits

I hope Mrs Watson’s menopause kicks in before our island is bankrupt. Then again, if her daughters are going to be stepping into the role of human gumball machine, then we’re not going to see an end to this irresponsibility any time soon.

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5

unkown!

I am sorry but this story makes me so angry! why should i work day in day out paying for this lot of people who just have babies to claim off the benefit. it makes me sick.

get a job and live life the way it should be! we shouldnt be paying benefit to people like this.

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7

CheesedOff

If she can’t keep an eye on her children then what on earth possessed this woman to think it’s ok to have so many?

Also why does she think it’s prefectly acceptable to make us taxpayers pay for her chosen lifestyle. That’s right she has CHOSEN to have all those children and seems to teach her children that her way of life is the right way of life and they should therefore follow her example.

She says that the third of her teenage daughters to have become pregnant is no different to any other expectant teenager as if it’s OK for 15 year olds to become pregnant at the taxpayer’s expense. Well it’s not. How irresponsible Miss Watson Senior is. Looks like her daughters are set to follow her example.

At 40 she’s not too old to pull her finger out and get a job so why is she still living the benefit lifestyle? More to the point why is she allowed to continue? Why hasn’t she had her benefits reduced so that she has to work to support her children? She chose to have them so why are we, the taxpayer, paying to keep them?

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9

Bloggs

Whilst its completly wrong at 15 and in my opinion wrong until u can pay for a child yourself, i do think reading response on other sites this has gone to far based on the mother, there are so many young girls out there doing the same thing, some even younger than this case, but because this girls mother hasnt learnt safe sex and her older sisters have had children (both whos children are now of an age where if they hadnt learnt they could have had more) people are sticking a label on the whole family, what about the eldest boy who has no children and a great boxing future ahead? Even if all of the girls go on to have children young, whilst wrong because of there age or inability to pay for them, there only doing what so many other young girls are doing regardles of how many brothers/sisters mothers or fathers there are.
The mother in this case clearly has been pre occupied to care about what her girls are doing and going to the press for attention is out or order but thats the mother not the girl.
(20 girls under 15 get pregnant everyday in the uk)

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11

Embarrassed Guern

We can’t really target Mariah, it’s not entirely her fault. The mother has acted as some form of supposed “role model”. Her children have known nothing different then have a kid before 18 and be set for life. It’s appalling and a disgraceful way to tarnish Guernsey’s reputation. The amount of money she receives is akin to 24,000 a year. This is a travesty.

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13

Arnold

Prolific single mother … should that not be notorious?

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15

Dani

I don’t like the way this one girl is being singled out, it can’t be pleasant for her.

I think this story is only front page because the press know people get heated up over those that abuse the system.

I’m just wondering why the states don’t change things to prevent abuse, its clearly what a lot of people have wanted for a long time, me included.

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17

mumof 2

Miss Watson states she is ‘fed up with the way her family was being represented’, so stop craving attention and selling your stories to who ever wants to print them.Its all about her and what she looks like, not about how her kids must feel being
put in the spotlight constantly. she loves the spotlight but hate the negative comments she gets.Her daughters also crave attention(they probably don’t get at home) why else would they go out and feel the need to sleep with anyone that gives them some. I hope she has declared her money made on selling her story to the states. She will have more children it keeps people talking about her. Just a warning to any dark haired men out there who comes across her if she says she is taking precautions…RUN

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19

jas

Its an issues not just for this family but many women who realise financially its ok to have kids if you cant finance them as of course the state will.

This will only get worse while our government is so willing to provide the supporrt.

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21

Gorilla

Those saying it should not be on the front page, dont blame the paper, blame the person who sold the story to the Daily Mail!

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23

sarnia expat

I am almost speechless – but not quite.

Forced sterilisation is one solution.

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25

Martino

I have a simple solution. Compulsory termination of any pregnancy that is demonstrably conceived before age of 16. IE if the ‘baybee’ is due when the mother is 16 years 3 months it was clearly the result of illegal under age sex, so stop it going ahead. I also agree with those who say the mother didn’t have much chance of avoiding this, given the grandmother’s record. In hindsight Mrs/Miss Watson senior should have been compulsorily sterilised after her second or third.

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27

damo

I ruptured a disc in my lower back last spring and was given the paltry sum of £350 to see me alright for seven weeks. I was unable to claim help for the medical bills as i had savings…that i went out and worked bloody hard for. So in actual fact it cost me £1,600 to be off work and as i don’t get sick pay i didn’t even get a wage for those seven weeks…

I have paid thousands and thousands of pounds so people like her can choose the easy way…it’s just bloody wrong !!!

I don’t want to pay social security anymore, my experience has been soured all the more by scroungers…taking taking taking and giving nothing back.

I have always stated people taking Social help should have it in the form of vouchers. Sounds harsh? Not if it shames people back to work. I have no grievance with helping the inferm, disabled, depressed or injured of the world, but these people…not in a million years. If they want their social money they should be made to sit in a large office from 9 to 5. Have the adequated breaks and lunch breaks, but if they have to ‘be somewhere’ 9 – 5 like the rest of us i am sure they would soon get out there working.

All said i do feel sorry for the children…such a bad example set by the most important person in your life.

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29

Taxpaying Mum

Gee Guernsey Press thanks for ruining my day.

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31

ChrisJ

I liked Monbiot’s comment today:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jul/11/media-corrupt-hippocratic-oath-journalists

‘The rightwing papers run endless exposures of benefit cheats, yet say scarcely a word about the corporate tax cheats … These are not the obsessions of working people. They are the obsessions thrust upon them by the multimillionaires who own these papers.’

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33

geezerboy

I THOUGHT IF YOU GOT PREGNANT, THEN YOU GET MAINTANANCE FROM THE FATHER OR FATHERS, STATES INSURANCE SHOULD CHASE THE DADS UP TO PAY FOR THESE KIDS, £24.000 A YEAR, THERE HAVIN A LAUGH WHEN I SEE WHAT MY MUM GETS FOR A PENSION, IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT,

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35

RealisticMS

As a working mother of two I find it hard not to feel frustrated by this story. My husband and I had too much pride to be the sort to live in a states house and claim benefits. And yet I would love more children but our mortgage and bills dictates that this will likely never be so. We get £30.00 from the states for our children, this woman gets £2,000? To any young girl who has read this and thinks she would one day like a family don’t bother working hard because you could get it all for free…wish I had. I could be at home with my children instead of paying this woman to live the life I would like. Yes we are the stupid ones. I hope she reads this and feels bad.

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37

SOMEONE WHO CARES

looks like we all believe what we read in the papers! and you all must know the family really well! I think its disgusting that people can comment on this story let alone make comments.

I get whats been said, and to some extent fair enough its right. But this family are made up of beautiful innocent kids, and a mother, and father (to some extent) that have done a bloody good job.

both parents worked, jo until 2 years ago, and ok they had help from social, which in turn is our tax money, but then should that give every person on guernsey the right to slag this family off! wow if that was in the office you’d get a disciplinary slapped on you.

Jo and her Ex made there decisions and ok, a big family that unfortunatly they cant afford to keep without help might not be the best plan but its to late now, they are here. and 3 out of the 14 may of followed suit but the rest may not. The two young mothers I’ve seen are both hard working both happy and both great mums.

heck theres people in the world doing real bad things. this family has been raised with love and the worst bit is they had to rely on tax payers money which im sure they wish they didnt have to. oh and shes produced a few good teen mums. Ones that set an example to all the teen mum spongers out there!

we all make mistakes. get over yourselves.

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39

nosey neighbour

in defence for the eldest daughter i do believe she works to support her child, and as for the comment on the eldest son are you sure he isn’t a “father”?

Miss/Mrs watson feels everyone is picking on her, what does she expect when she sells her storey to the press. family allowance is given for all kids no matter what the circumstances however £15 per child times 11 children at home equals a pretty penny! also would like to know what Mr Watson has to say, surely he has played a role in bringing up the children?

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41

tramp

fed up of this family,mostly the mother,she CRAVES attention all the time,most of the population feel the same way..now maybe suppermently might do something,like tell her to get off her back side and get a part time job,her older kids could look after the little ones,as they are use to it,if she has any more children then supp should not pay her.
As for £27 week rent,thats £2 per person in that household,well thats a joke,after all this attention from mrs watson again i bet the social will be getting loads of phone calls n housing,as i know that i will be one of them complaining bout my rent.
what a joke………..

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43

Roy Gueno

This is clear discrimination,the Mummy got a States House, hand outs for having her nails done,and the like, the Daddy didn’t get States House or hand outs, and is expected to contribute himself, Guernsey needs an up to date Equallity Law now…

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45

Paul

I had a good laugh at the comments on The Mail website and have to agree with this “The mother alone should be the reason NOT to have so many children – she looks at least 20 years older than she really is”

NOT my own words but already in print on the The Mail …, my comment is that its rude to disagree

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47

worker

just wondering how many phone calls the supp n housing will be getting from reading all this,as £27 week rent is a joke,thats £2.00 per person in that house hold,i for one will be phoning them to complain,
they should stop giving her supp till she finds a part time job,maybe her older kids could look after the little ones,as there use to it,from
years of pratice.
what a joke this is……..

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49

Mrs. P.

This woman is laughing at every single hard working resident of Guernsey.Her sides must be spliting.Flaunting the fact that she gets “so much in benefits” blah blah blah.I only hope that her mouth has opened for the last time and that the states will do something about her parasitic family purely out of the embrassment she has forced on the island.This women is enough to make a saint swear and infact after reading the artical yesterday ,my ever so placid/mild friend turned the air blue…..!!!! Enough said I think

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51

Anon

Although I do not agree with what Mrs Watson is doing, I must make it clear that not all her children are like her. I know that her two eldest daughters who are mothers themselves are in fact working and both pay tax and social security. One is also currently studying an NVQ to be able to progress in her chosen career. Thankfully it would seem that they know what their mother is doing is unfair on the community and have decided that it is not the sort of life that they would like for them or their children. Lets hope Mariah follows in the footsteps of her siblings and not those of Mrs Watson.

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53

Unbelievable

Is it any wonder that the child turns out the way she has when bought up in the environment she lives in. Joanne Watson, who despite having had all these children, hasn’t worked out to look after them properly to prevent, now the third from becoming an underage mother.
All for all the rest of us “responsible” parents, let this be a reminder to you of what happens if you fail to supervise your children properly, and lets not forget, that as Mariah is legally still a minor, her parents are responsible for her actions and their consequences. I wonder how much the Watson family combined take in benefits each week? It’s no wonder our black hole is so deep…

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55

Ray

Having waded through almost all of the recent War & Peace sized future population booklet I seem to remember that one section described an age time bomb whereby the island needed more young people to finance the pensions of an ageing population

Taken purely in that context Miss W might actually be regarded as a national hero!

Just out of interest, some months ago we were asked to vote on the chances of one of the daughters becoming a professional model.Is this one of the young ladies of which we speak?

Did Miss W have any say in imposing the name ‘Glamour Boy’ Watson on her professional boxing son? I think he’ll come to regret that one day

This is about the 50th post in six hours.It shows that a lot of people are very interested in Miss W’s story which will possibly encourage her to make a TV documentary in the near future

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57

GnsyGal

Some of the comments on here are bang out of order, especially regarding the 2 daughters who have kids. The second daughter has never “scrounged” off the states and she has 2 children with the same father so people on here have got there so called facts wrong – she is a very hard working mum, and an excellent mum at that. Also, the older sibling is also a working mum!! Get your facts right before slating innocent young women who are fantastic mums to their boys!!

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59

Donkey

Is it true that they Watson’s have 2 states houses? If so, that is an outrage. When are the States going to toughen up? Do the Watson’s declare to the States what they earn via the UK papers?

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61

edd41

Corporate tax is zero…. an u lot think the Watsons are bringing the island down… wake up.

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63

Mum-of-One

Grrrr this is annoying in the fact me and my fiance work our a**es off to pay bills and rent. I get £15 per week as does everybody else from the states until their youngest turns 16. Thats all I get, didn’t ask for it, you get it automatically and to be honest it helps, might buy a small shop for bread, milk and nappies. I love my son, i love my life. I work hard for the money I earn and I, ME! now have to pay for them? If she can’t afford them take them away from her. Give her a hysterectomy and fingers crossed.

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65

IN

Rent of only £27 per week & family allowance/Supplementary of £565.00 the mugs here are the tax payers. Nice work if you can get it

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67

JAMES

STATES SHOULD INTRODUCE A SYSTEM BY WHERE THE TAXPAYER ONLY PAYS FOR THE UTILITIES THAT THEY USE.
NO CHILDREN = OPT OUT OF PAYING FOR SCHOOLS.
DONT GO TO CHURCH = OPT OUT OF PAYING FOR THE CHURCH REPAIRS.
DONT USE PRISON = OPT OUT OF PAYING FOR IT.

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69

JAMES

ID SAVE THOUSANDS !

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71

Taxpaying Mum

Mr G – I am stunned (having witnessed many a post from you in the past….)- a coherent sensible suggestion! I am quite at a loss as to why the States do not cap child benefit at, for example, two children. This would discourage a ‘breeding’ mentality i.e. ‘ If we hav ‘em you’ll pay for ‘em’ and ensure at least a fairer playing field. We work hard, have (just about) managed to afford to have two children – would like more but as it is not within our means we are grateful for what we have and can bring our children up with the full attention they deserve. This kind of story will always raise hackles and although we are all well aware of this woman and her situation I for one would rather I didn’t have to see her face plastered all over the papers. Pleas GP do us all a favour and stop giving her column space.

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73

Dadude

Whilst I do not agree with the size of Ms W’s family, they children have all been born within the confines of a single relationship (thus far). IIRC it was Mr W that was done for not declaring income from cash jobs, not Ms W for benefit fraud. The eldest daughter made her mistake (confusing sex for love), returned to education when her son started school, has been turned down for work in her chosen and qualified area, yet found a steady job to support herself and her son and pay tax and social like the rest of us. Certainly not a scrounger in my book! It may be that the oldest son has a child, but he works to support himself et al, and also pays tax and social. Daughter number two has two children by the same guy, works to support them (also paying tax and social). Daughter number three also appears to have sought ‘love and affection’ but ended up pregnant. I hope that the two older daughters are a positive influence on Mariah and encourage her to return to education and ultimately employment as soon as she is able……Oh, and to set the record straight, Ms W lives in a single States property, not two properties converted into one large house. The large vehicle that has been mentioned is an old basic window van that has been converted into a utilitarian minibus….not a luxury coach! As I said, I am not a fan of the size of the family, but hate to see such misinformation used to further slate Ms W, and to see the elder daughters dragged into the mire un neccesarily.

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75

blah

god help us all. what are you unthinking, witch-burning, news of the world mourners, on about? 49 apoplectic posts in about 15 minutes, reacting to the guernsey press gleefully passing on the latest slow-motion dissection of jo watson by the daily mail, the most hateful and divisive of all british newspapers (remember that the ‘daily hate’ is still mainly owned by viscount rothermere and that the rothermere family dynasty, through daily mail editorials in the the 1930s, publicly supported the british union of fascists led by oswald mosley’s blackshirts, (and what, i wonder, is really changed?). jo watson is manifestly unwise to sell any of her life story to any media source and for that i have little sympthathy for her. but a british woman having umpteen kids is a very, very, rare case. but it is christmas and birthday rolled into one for all right wing, divide-and-rule press outlets. you posters (with one, possibly two exceptions) are all complete mugs with your ridiculous over-reaction – one after another, like not one of you could think about any of the underlying history, or context, for even a second. you all sound so dumb, elbowing each other aside to stone this woman and her kids. what has she done exactly? hacked milly dowler’s mobile? stolen investment cash from hundreds of insurance pensioners? stripped the assets from care home companies? gambled billions (and lost)of bank customers’ deposits and mortgages? illegally sold western arms to the taliban? bombed civilians? what exactly?! ok , claimed a lot of benefit – big deal. she is a rare case, she is unwise but for goodness sake, she will not bankcrupt you or the state, either financially or morally. but the tax avoiders, tax evaders and finance gamblers will truly do that for us all. corrupt and greedy bankers have and will. corrupt and greedy politians have and will. the greedy and corrupt media moguls have and will. the greedy and corrupt police leaders will play a part. corrupt sportsmen, corrupt religious persons. they all have real power and they set the standard, not this one, single, vulnerable woman who has made some unwise decisions in her single vulnerable life. guernsey standards eh? that would be knee jerk reaction, absolutely no tolerance and absolutely no understanding then. it is noteworthy that most of the mob pursuing jo watson’s hide seem to relate only to her class and not that of their real masters.

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77

damo

if nothing else positive comes out of this hopefully the states will reorganise the social benefits system. If anyone cares to join me i will start a lobby group

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79

damo

In 30 years time imagine the Watson family tree…or forest

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81

pbfalla

Someonewhocares

Post of the week.

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83

Honesty

I was on benefits for a couple of years as I had no choice and the system was in place to help people like me who had a child and was unable to pay childcare and rent (I couldnt get a states house) however, I work full time and I have done for a number of years. Maybe Miss Watson will go back to work when the children are at school and start to repay the money like I have done.. However, I do remember that they did win the lottery and it was a good few years ago.. I think it was about £50,000 which they spent doing up their rented flat when they had about 3 or 4 of the children. She really hasnt done herself any favours by putting herself forward for this article, as she really has set herself up to be slated by a lot of people.. All I can say is at least the children are well loved, clean and looked after, which in all fairness, is more than I can say for a lot of children out there.

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85

sarnia expat

I think this is more a moral issue than it is a financial one (albeit that it is incredibly frustrating that so much of our tax goes to support this feckless bunch).

You don’t need to keep an eye on your teenage children “24/7″ if you have taught them the correct way to behave in the first place. What Mrs Watson needs is parenting lessons. It is not enough to produce children and then dress them – far better an ill dressed child than an ignorant one. Fancy thinking it is actually “OK” for a 15 year old to be pregnant? What sort of moral upbringing did this brood mare have I wonder?

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87

jason

The fault is not with her. She is just living life in the way that she can and wants to. If i was her i may have done the same, but i’m a man so i have not the option.

The fault lies squarely with the government for allowing it.

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89

Sarah

I think the idea someone posted about a sliding scale of benefits is very good after child no 2 you should not really be having more if you can’t support them. I think everyone is entitled to be a parent and appreciate not everyone is able to work, eg earn enough to cover child care so this is when the support system can help. But when two kids are in school you can then work part time and put back.

To have this many children is just irresponsible I feel so sorry for the kids, I feel torn between my two sometimes both needing me…. and I feel guilty…. you can not properly give individual time and attention when you have that many! Poor babies.

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91

whats the problem

Do any of you that have written horrible comments about this family actually know them!!!! I personally dont know them that well only through friends!! but i have met Miss/Mrs Watson at the park and she is the most down to earth person you could possibly know!! she has pride in her children and i would to if mine were all as pretty as hers (not that i have children). Those children are always very well dressed and also very polite.

I am not sure what the problem is with having a big family…. years ago there were big families in Guernsey and still now there are families with more than 6 children, ok so i know its not 14 children but if thats how many children she wants then let her!!!

And then the fact that a 15 year old girl is pregnant…. what is the problem with that!! That poor girl is not the first girl to be pregnant at that age and is far from being the last!!

I am a tax payer and i get really angry when i know people are taking the P**S out of the benefit… but as far as i know it has only been in the last 2-3 years that this woman has claim this benefit and this is because the relationship broke down with the children father!! Yes she might get a lot of money but so what her ex husband has paid his fair share to the income tax!!!

JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE!!

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93

Gorilla

Ref their house. It is only one house not two, this is just a false Guernsey rumour.

Sadly I do not think anything can be done, in this stupid world she will just claim her human rights are being infringed….

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95

Dave Haslam

Daves in a maths mood…..

1st Gen
14
2nd Gen
196
3rd Gen
2744
4th Gen
38416
5th Gen
537824

In 5 generations she could quite feasabily populate Guernsey with her own offspring 7.6 times.

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97

Gorilla

whats the problem, yes I have met the mother and a few of the kids. Kids are lovely, good manners etc. The problem most have is the fact that we are giving £24k (plus a 4 bedroom house for £26pw) in benefits to someone that should support herself. But the main bone of contention is the fact she is flaunting this in front of all of us. Kids may have manners but sadly are not learning any birth control. You say its only in the last couple of years they have claimed benefit? Wrong! I am sure she has been claiming Child Support since birth!!

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99

Mr Lloyd

whatstheproblem

I was reading your post with interest until I stopped when you really let yourself down

“And then the fact that a 15 year old girl is pregnant…. what is the problem with that!! ”

As a starter for 10, I’d reply, “hmmmmm its illegal!”

And thats just the tip of the iceberg with “problems with being pregnant at 15″

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101

Teenage Supporter

On the positive side, Mariah has probably had a great deal of child care experience in helping to raise her younger siblings and could be a natural-born mother. Being a teenage mum is not the end of the world that it’s sometimes made out to be.

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103

Sarah

What’s happened has happened she has had all these children because she wanted them. I don’t feel she needs all these children and for us hard working people it’s sad as we are paying for them. But for her to have a sun bed and go to the beach I would love to do all that but I work hard and I still would not waist all my money on a sun bed. I feel sorry for the children I’m sure they are looked after and loved but they will never go on a holiday as a family etc. I feel they are missing out on so much. I have seen Miss Watson shopping in M&S OMG how does she afford to feed all the children o sorry we do.
Never mind good luck to them all

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105

Eh

Sorry if I am behind the times here and should know, but did the States REALLY pay for fertility treatment for this woman???????? PLEASE NO!!!

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107

well there you are

They say children learn by example.

Perhaps that’s why in the last 6 months where I have been unable to work due to illness, I have sold belongings, used my savings to survive and pay my bills. That’s what my parents would have done.

Now I know how the other half live. If only my parents had set a better example, I’d have my nails done weekly, o would have afforded at least one hair cut this year and I would be driving a great car, instead of walking because I can’t afford petrol

Don’t worry ‘miss’ Watson I shall return to work at the end of the month. Your grandchildren will get that Wii for Christmas.if it kills me.

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109

Gorilla

J jones, not sure if its illegal to be pregnant at 15 but it is certainly illegal to have sex if you are under 16

Eh, where does it say about fertility treatment?

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111

Steve-O

j jones

It isnt illegal to drive a car…….

That doesnt mean you can steal one and drive it!

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113

Unfair

I have 3 young children which my husband and I support fully. I have to work 25 hours a week and my husband works unsociable hours to enable us to pay the mortgage and give our children quality time. I would not consider having any more children. How does she manage to read them all a bedtime story! and give them one to one attention that children crave.

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115

bored of you lot

@ all

Just out of interest, does anyone know how much it costs the tax-payer a year per child for schooling?

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117

damo

Its not a case of what other financial issues are wrong with regards to the island. Those that want to discuss those can use the appropriate threads on the approprite stories.

This thread is about her using the media…live by the sword and all that. What does she expect. People to say ‘we’re proud of her’? Even though some of her adult children are doing the right thing and working hard she has a resposibility to be part of society as it stands not a cost

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119

CJG

Gorilla – Realistic is just saying we don’t get any help. Yes it’s our decision to have children, our decision to want to better ourselves, work full time and buy our own house rather than sponge of the states which is all so easy. But, there is no help for us, yet practically everything is for free should we choose to not work, live off Social, live in a States house. Childcare fees alone are extortionate, why can’t that be subsidised by the States? 1) it would help a lot of families out and 2) it might be an incentive for those who are having too much of a good time living off the Social to actually want to go back to work! A little help wouldn’t go a miss that’s for sure!

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121

caz

If Mrs Watson does not want anyone to comment on her situation, why on earth has she given permission for herself and her family to be in the paper.

Ah I smell money. As for her saying she cant watch them 24/7 maybe she should have taught her young children to say no. That sex is for adults – yes what a concept!

Why girls feel that they need to start having sex asap is beyond me. There is more to life for teenagers than dropping their draws to the first hormonal boy that comes along and says things like “if you loved me you would etc.etc.etc” We want to empower young girls in respecting their bodies and tell them that love and sex do not go hand in hand.

In almost every case these young girls are left holding the baby, narrowing their life choices and generally living off benefits for most of their lives. Its about time that we taught our daughters to wait to have sex until they find someone who they can trust and will be there for them, when and if they find themselves pregnant. Thats what Ive told my daughter and hopefully she will not get pregnant before she has finished school, got a job and a roof over her head. Then she wont be a burden on anyone.

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123

cola

if the story is true that she paid £500 for a sperm donor,then thats disgusting,how the hell can she pay that,with our taxes,
if she does get caught again,then the supp should make her pay her own way,,,shes sponged off the states for far to long now,make her get a part time job,instead of thinking she’s some sort of celebrate,she’s living in co co land…
and as for the fake tan ,boob jobs n face lift,well she looks much older now,she should of left well only……..

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125

Embarrassed

I am actually ashamed to call my self a Guern. You people make me sick. Do you really think targeting Mariah Watson and Her mother is going to solve anything?. She is a 15 year old girl! pregnant scared and now humilliated, you people just dont care about who your hurting with your opinions, witch quite frankly doesnt say alot about you. When are you all going to realise that your jealousy and spitefullness isnt going to change anything and if it wasnt miss watson or her daughter who was pregnant and living off benefits it would be someone else, You cant blame them becuase you have to pay taxes.Those poor children have access to this and have access to the papers imagine how embarrassed and hurt they are. Have a heart.

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127

Mr Lloyd

Embarrassed

Your point would only stand if her mother had been so forward in getting herself in the paper.

When she is so happy to use her kids as a publicity device, she (the mother) derserves all the critiscism she gets. I dont see many people attacking the daughter, afterall she knows no better.

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129

CheesedOff

Joanne Watson needs to have her benefits reduced and get her backside out to work. It’s high time she started paying her own way in this world instead of making fools of those of us who are forced to pay social security/taxes yet get nothing for all our hard work. Mariah can take care of any necessary child care, after all she has said she’s used to helping with the children.

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131

Toto

@St Marcouf: I completely agree.

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133

Martino

Yes, you’ve hit the nail on the head there St Marcouf. Such a pity that the Social Security Dept cannot hand out free INfertility treatment in such cases.

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135

jas

Well actually i am a little jealous that people have a good life with loads of kids and all paid for by the state with no requirement to make their own income.

Is it wrong to be jealous or is that a reasonable human emotion when considering the facts?

Am i supposed to not have that feeling?

Is it wrong?

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137

Gorilla

@RealisticMS

I completly agree that its totally unfair. But dont worry as its a nice sunny day so the Watson clan will be on the beach this afternoon and then a lovely M&S meal for tea. Hope you are enjoying your days work paying for all of this?

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139

not amused

jealous…..dont think so,just really pissed off how she goes on bout what she has,she loves all the attention,she’ll brought it on herself,always going to the media,hopefully the states will know look into this family and see what the money is really spent on,maybe all the kids have thier own lap tops,not bad for beenin on supp,boob jobs, ivf,cheap rent the list can go on,
so mrs watson get off your rear end n get to work,

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141

Alvin J Furrer

I do not know the family but from what I read and see in the newspapers, Ms Watson has done a commendable job in raising what appears to be a healthy, lovely, loving, well-cared-for family.

If Ms Watson has sussed out the benefits system and is able to get 24000 quid a year, ( or 29640 by my reckoning from what I read in the Daily Mail ), then good on her and I salute her for taking the best way to provide for her family.

Yes, these are other persons out there who also deserve to have a greater share in benefits and who are much worse off – in stead of ranting on at and against Joanne Watson, people should help the others also to get a fairer share.

There are a lot of people profiting from high standards of living in Guernsey without paying their fair share of taxes, earning enormous profits from dubious, questionable States contracts, or earning obscenely high salaries – one should have a rant at those and get them to pay a more realistic contribution to Guernsey as a whole.

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143

L

I worked nights to make ends meet when my two YES TWO CHILDREN were small .They have done well and have good jobs .I AM NOW WORKING FULL TIME TO MAKE ENDS MEET I AM VERY ANGRY .something has to be done .Joanne Watson is a utter disgrace .THIS HAS TO BE SORTED OUT NOW.

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145

Kazer

Blame the states their policies
Are pathetic they don’t give us a penny for my sons
Mental disability although nearly every other country recognises
The condition and families are helped ,they are happy to write him
prescriptions though ! but say that condition is not recognised in guernsey
but I could get more for having 14 kids than I can earn full-time
In a year and look after 3 kids very unfair system we should all lobby
For a fairer system !

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147

damo

well everyone…we have hammered her for a while, which to be fair she asked for…however, lets leave the kids out of it.

All i can suggest is that the social security department open the floor to review ideas. I agree with some others. 2 get subsidised and if you have more you pay for yourself.

There are too many hard working people of Guernsey that can’t afford to have a large family, so don’t. They don’t go scrounging from the others that are prepared to work hard.

Those that work to survive and look after their family i wish you all the best.

Those who are bone idle, greedy and have no moral conscience i sure hope the States do heftily review their benefits policies and hope you are ousted from your comfortable existences we pay for.

As a footnote, i don’t own a home because i cant afford one. Not having to pay SS every month would speed the deposit process up for me. I have no kids either. In fact i have nothing, but at least i am paying for work shy scabs to go to the beach…i’m the mug. Maybe i should pretend i am going blind and live off benefits, but i won’t cause i have this little nagging thing, its called morality

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149

Martin M

Sterilisation would be the answer. Why would you want more than two children? The world yet alone Guernsey cannot support such an increase in population (Imagine if we all had this many children!). This person is utterly selfish and has no concern for the well being of her children or those people around her. Obviously all these offspring have been fathered by someone – DNA screening would find the biological father(s) they should take on the cost burden not the working people of Guernsey

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151

jay

one word on the subject disgraceful

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153

enough

Well having read all the comments about Joanne, i think that it is about time people got their facts right. I am Joanne’s cousin and believe me i think that you are all wrong to slate her. Firstly Jo got married and stayed with her husband for years they had all their children together and planned them all. During this time Jo did work part time. Their marraige admittedly was like a lot of others rocky at times. Yes Joanne has had cosmetic surgery a couple of times but that was not paid for by state handouts that was paid for by her and her then husband. As time progressed Joanne and John separated for reasons i will not go into. As that is their business. Joanne has continued to be a good mum to her children and John sees them on a regular basis. Joanne then met Craig Le-Sauvage and fell in love as a result she became pregnant with baby Billy who sadly passed away 20 weeks into the pregnancy. This resulted in a downward spiral in hers and Craig’s relationship. People are happy to slate her but unless you have lost a child you don’t know the grief and state of mind that it can put you in. As for benefits how can she work with all the little ones. She is hoping to go back to work when they are older. So before you keep slating her, spare a little thought for what she has been through. Spare a thought for the children as this is their mother you are talking about and it can’t be much fun for them going to school everyday and being ridiculed. And spare a thought for their father John who despite being their father doesn’t get slated half as much as Joanne does. So What Mariah is pregnant she is not the first teenager and certainly will not be the last for this to happen to. Its not a good thing to be pregnant at 15 but its happened and she is going to need all the support that she can get. One day it could be your teenage daughter how would you feel if everyone was then knocking you, blaming you, etc. So please if you want to comment just remember her children maybe reading all these posts, and what have they done. Nothing. Good Luck Jo, Love you.xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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155

CheesedOff

@ Bradley Watson

The problem people have is that there is no valid reason for your mother not to go and get a job like the rest of us have to. Nor your father for that matter so that he can pay maintenance to support all of his offspring. After all they chose to have such a large family.

It is neither right nor fair to expect the hard working people of Guernsey to support such a large family whilst we ourselves have to pay mortgage/rent plus all the other bills which are part of life. £26 weekly rent? No wonder people are up in arms.

I do however commend you for doing the right thing in supporting your own daughter by the way.

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157

Beanjar

Bradley, if you think it was your parents who provided for you rather than the taxpayers of Guernsey you are deluded. But good luck to you if you are earning honest money and paying your own way in the world.

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159

Vee

I agree with Terry on this one about the fertility and sperm donation, where on earth did people get that from? the States of Guernsey do not fund such things so if she has had that done then she has paid herself! I am the first to bash this lady as I think she is awful but I don’t believe the talk about sperm donations etc as I just don’t believe the states would pay! I think even the states wouldnt drop to that level hey?!

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161

Sarah

@Sania
You hit the nail on the head well said.
At the end of the day it’s there life and good luck to them all….

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163

Rachael

What drives me mad in the single mother debates is that its always the womans fault. To prevent woman getting pregnant [as no doubt some woman do it intentionally] why the hell dont you males use contraception ie condoms or have the snip.It takes two to tango but judging by remarks on here its only the womans fault and not the mans responsibility to help prevent pregnancy. Its time men became more responsible for resulting children. You can bash single mums for using the benefits system but maybe if men had to be more financially responsible instead of letting their dependants live on benefits they’d think twice. As for maintainence do you know that if a man is self employed the wage arrest cannot be enforced on them.
Please stop the Watson bashing, i dont know any of them personally but hate the way this is going.

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165

CheesedOff

The excuse of not working because there are children that need looking after doesn’t wash with me I’m afraid.

Other parents manage to sort and pay for child care. Could you imagine what a state this island would be in if all parents did the same as Miss Joanne Watson and kept having babies as a way of avoiding having to go to work?

So the paper contacted your mum Bradley? Doesn’t seem that she took much persuading to flaunt herself in public. Again.

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167

CheesedOff

@ Bradley

So if your father is working 55 hours a week to support his children then why is your mother claiming benefits amounting to 2 grand a month?

If what she gets from your father isn’t enough then there’s nothing stopping her from getting an evening/night shift job to bring in the money she needs. Is there?

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169

Gorilla

@Bradley watson

When you say the paper contacted her, I assume you mean the local paper? If so, they only did that because your Mum sold her story to an agency who then in turn sold it to the DM. Most people in Guernsey would not have even known Mariah was pregnant had your Mum not decided to announce it to the world!
Sorry but if you sell your story (once again) to a national red top then you have to expect criticsm. As the old saying goes, dont wash your dirth laundry in public.

I have seen little criticsm of you or any of your siblings, most of it is aimed at the way your Mum goes about things in such a public way. People feel that she is rubbing their noses in it. I have met a couple of your sisters and your brother and they are all lovely children.

Good luck with your boxing, you are doing Guernsey proud.

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171

tango

Bradley,as you said before your mother lost 2 babies,i myself knows how upsetting it can be,but you have to move on,one day at a time,it gets easier over the years as your mother knows.
sometimes you have to think maybe her body clock is telling her to stop having babies,she aint getting any younger now…maybe she needs to just be thankful she has 14 children,
then go out get a job while the kids are at playschool n school,there are loads of term time jobs about..she should try it sometime…

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173

brodie

totally agree with you rachel, enough , and bradley, like i said in a previous post i do not know the family, but why does everybody feel the need to be so down right nasty, come on folks this used to be caring sharing guernsey, whats happened to you all, why is everyone so bitter and twisted , there used to be a saying when i was growing up, my gran used to say look in your own plate, and basically if some of the people posting nasty comments on here looked in their “own plates” the would soon see if they delved deep enough that maybe some things in their own family wasnt perfect either, so please sort out your own affairs before throwing stones at someone else!

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175

RealisticMS

I’m pleased to see Bradley is doing the right thing.

As already mentioned though I have to work even though I have children so not a good excuse for his mother.

Did anyone notice how new her lounge looked. I wish I could afford to get my lounge done. Also noticed how many of her kids were girls… oh God!
I think we’re all wasting our breath now though…

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177

AngryPerson

All this fuss over her daughter which wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t go to the papers in the first place!

Mrs Watson always seems shocked that the papers say such things about her and her family and that we shouldn’t believe what they say, but, seeings as it has happened in the past and she knows what to expect why would she keep going back to the papers? She obviously just loves the attention she gets or is after something… Knowing her she gets payed a lot for it, wouldn’t surprise me she seems to love money.

However I am sure her daughter will be a good mum seeing as she has had so much practice with all those kids running about and I know her older sister do a very good job. But hopefully she will do the right thing and get a job and pay for her own child and not get our money for her little clones like her mother!

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179

blah

god help us ‘part two’ – scapegoating.

wiki says – “Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. A scapegoat may be a child, employee, peer, ethnic or religious group, or country. A whipping boy or “fall guy” is a form of scapegoat.” A medical definition of scapegoating is – “Process in which the mechanisms of projection or displacement are utilised in focusing feelings of aggression, hostility, frustration, etc., upon another individual or group; the amount of blame being unwarranted.” Scapegoating is a tactic often employed to characterize an entire group of individuals according to the unethical or immoral conduct of a small number of individuals belonging to that group, also known as guilt by association. (Stereotyping). Scapegoated groups throughout history have included almost every imaginable group of people: genders, religions, people of different races or nations, people with different political beliefs, or people differing in behaviour from the majority. Anzieu has explored the connection with the psycho-dynamics of group formation: ‘group members’ identifications with the heroism of the group’s founder’ were strengthened by ‘the designation of one group member as a victim or scapegoat (“One of us is bad”)’. Projection -Unwanted thoughts and feelings can be unconsciously projected onto another who becomes a scapegoat for one’s own problems. This concept can be extended to projection by groups. In this case the chosen individual, or group, becomes the scapegoat for the group’s problems. ‘Political agitation in all countries is full of such projections, just as much as the backyard gossip of little groups and individuals’. Jung considered indeed that ‘there must be some people who behave in the wrong way; they act as scapegoats and objects of interest for the normal ones’. In psychopathology, projection is an especially commonly used defense mechanism in people with … personality disorders.”

mr moderator – given this thread will probably exceed 200 posts over one woman and her children, please allow my indulgence quoting wiki at length. never before has there been a more perfect scapegoating example than the way this thread had unravelled.

to the watsons – (mrs w – forget the cash and for goodess sake stay well away from all the media who will only use you to bring down your family in front of you and throw you all to the rabid and ignorant witch-burners). apart from that – good luck to you all. you are not bad people and you know that. your circumstances are simply unusual – a well big family! but i am sure you will try to do your family and our community proud as you spread your wings and contribute to our society. you are for ever better individuals than the spiteful majority on this site who would drive you out of town. Go Watsons! do well, and do good, and keep it clean. (bradley – good luck, but please drop the david haye language -google henry cooper and also look up ‘humility’).

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181

Peeved

@Blah

Get over yourself. 1,10,100,1000 and more people are entitled to post their opinions here. Scapegoat…. Open to opinion here me thinks!!

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183

fed up of hearing

I was a single mother for many years and i worked, purchased a house, then meet someone, we married and had more children together, we both work long hours my husband over 60 hrs and myself 30 hrs to provded for our family, so why cant Mr John Watson work his 55 hrs a week in the day and then look after his children in the evening so Miss Perfect size 8 full of energy mother Joanne Watson can work in the evenings like the rest of us have to. oh sorry forgot she wont be able to work as to busy on the beach or having her nails done or her hair coloured or having a BOOB job or going out round town drinking, as for the old mini bus that well gone she’s now driving a nice smart silver car which we most likely paid for as tax payers of guernsey or was it the money from selling herself and her family to the papers by rubbing working guernsey people noses in the fact she gets over £2,000 a month and only pays £27 a week rent, all for doing nothing. what does JOHN WATSON pay for his offsprings.

what about Mr John Watson being sent to prison for benefit fraud wasnt this to do with driving while signed off work with a bad back, has this money been paid back. BRADLEY guessing your parents didnt provide everything for you we did the tax payers of guernsey.

2 of there daughters are mothers and working, which is good and another 1 is pregnant and her eldest son is also a possible father, i believe he is waiting for this to be confirmed, yes he works which is good.

yes i do feel sorry for all these children born in to this life style.

may be if Joanne and John watson had spent less time producing offsrings they could have educated there children on safe sex.

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185

Pete

This is exactly the kind of case which brings benefits into disrpute. I’ve always believed that child benefits should only be given for the first two children. Benefits are to help people in need not allow the lazy to live without working.

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187

Wil

If she is depressed at having multiple miscarriages then shouldn’t she be seeking counselling or psychiatric help rather than seeking more fertility treatment which may make her condition worse?

The public wants to help those in need, when they are at a low in their life, down on their luck, to enable them to pick themselves up so they can start working again….. Joanne, by her own admission, does not fit into this category, nor is she honest and grateful for the payments she receives. She continuously and purposefully treats the community with disrespect and contempt.

Bradley says that she doesnt care what the public say, but she should at least care what her children think. Bradley seems to care. Any decent person would. A good mother puts her children first and protects them at all costs. A good mother does not run to the paper to fulfill some self absorbed delusion by acting out some fantasy knowing that it would hurt the children. A good mother teaches self respect and you can’t respect yourself without respecting others also. A good mother teaches more than how to clean the house, comb your hair, diet, how to wear your boobs to gain attention and how to have babies….. a good mother is much much more… including supervising your children 24/7 and teaching safe sex. This is not a case of just another teenage pregnancy this is a case of every single member of a family over a certain age becoming pregnant… Social services should be asking why. We must remember that safe sex is not just about preventing pregnancy but also STDs which i see as a much more serious problem. I do not blame Mariah at all and as I have stated earlier i wish her all the best, however, in regards to her mother, social services should be asking questions.

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189

pbfalla

Go Bradley Go,Tell them how it is,the small minded islanders will be choking on their tea and biscuits as we speak.

Small island small minds,rings a bell.

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191

Gerald Largo

Your post is ridiculous, why did you bother? This whole situation is not your fault as one of the offspring but surely even you must be embarrassed. Why dont you try helping by telling your mum to keep herself out of the media? I think that it would be great to have a claim to fame and be famous for a day but in your mums choice of how to be famous is sick. Dont get me wrong I have no problem with her firing out kids without flinching but to advertise in the national media it is sick and not fair on all of her offspring.

You and your brothers/sisters see her doing it and think it is ok so you follow suit. Where will it end? It is like the so called blonde super race!

You have gained a lot of support for your boxing success but I can tell you now there are quite a few people on the island who are looking forward to watching you lose and that is down to the cockey way you do your business and the manner in which your family advertise themselves

Think of the public who are paying for your family before spouting off

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193

really

Well said Gerald, especially re the boxing, the arrogance wears a little thin when you dont actually have more then a couple of wins under your belt from a couple of low ranked boxers.

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195

bored of you lot

Go Gerald…

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197

L

Mrs watson how very sad to put your children in the spotlight for your own gains.How selfish is that .You LOVE CHILDREN you want more UMMM a loving mum puts thier children first. Those poor little childrens faces in the paper shame on you mrs watson

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199

ahh yeah

there are many woman who want a little baby in guernsey and do the same as this woman my son has been recently trapped and the person in queston doesnt want him only his cash , i was outside social last week watching many single mothers collecting part of my hard earnt cash but t5hey get away with it because there allowed change the rules

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201

sarnia expat

Aahh yeah – Trapped? your son? didn’t he think to wear a condom? I suppose the excuse will be “it split”. Don’t take the girls word for it that she is on birth contro lads, take responsibility for your own sperm donation.
Sorry, but unless he is big enough to take responsibility for his act, he shouldn’t do the deed should he.

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203

Rachel

Why bother to give this family column inches. Bet they get paid every time they get a mention in the UK National Press too!!!

Why do WE all have to pay for – in effect – her favourite passtimes – her HOBBIES of procreation and baby-minding?!

Alas I am well past child-bearing, otherwise I might be tempted to follow her very lucrative lifestyle.
Although a sense of pride and self would make me want to pay my way in life.

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205

Ray

Another two page spread in Saturday’s Daily Mail

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207

single mum of 1

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/index.html

Another day another dollar….and hopefully another baby!

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209

L

CELEB WATSON IN THE MAIL AGAIN didnt read it all its sickning its doing it to get to us workin guerns cause it knows there is nothin we can do about it this is lovin all the attention its gettin well i may be annoyed payin out for the likes of her but at the end of the day i can sleep at night if she has no shame what sort of person is she .

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211

blah

@daisy chain – spot on, great points neatly put. at risk of patronising mrs w, i doubt she is fully aware of the historical political standpoint of the daily mail, which is aimed at middle class and lower-middle class readers, who will stuff their fingers in their ears if confronted with even a glimpse of the real social and economic reasons as to why they don’t have as much stuff as their upper class neighbours. those untouchable neighbours use their privilege and wealth (10% of the UK population own about 75% of all marketable wealth)to keep a grip on their political and economic power, and vice-versa, through media connections, tax lawyers, tax accountants and other methods – who knows, maybe even off-shore financial centres?). the average (i.e. the snobby, avaricious and small-minded) mail reader will look to blame all that is wrong with their little life on everybody that the mail holds up by the scruff for them to sneer and spit at. the mail should be called the daily scapegoat – gays, immigrants, single mums (not single dads oddly enough), people on benefits, all foreigners and increasingly (and frighteningly) – simply people from working class communities and backgrounds. any group representative who is without a voice is fair game and easy meat for the daily mail. i doubt mrs w will have had the time to consider this bigger view and thus she is hung out to dry for a few bob. she has been very very unwise to do this and thereby encourage such a witch hunt. however, the glaringly obvious conclusion we should draw following the scale of this scapegoating is that, as a society, we simply remain uncivilised. given 95% of the previous posts i conclude that if i ever needed help from my fellow guernseymen, the watsons would probably be my best bet.

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213

ANON

BRAD………

maybe your mum and dad were working but they were stil claiming benefits, thats why they were done for it!!

so what if your boxing?

if your making loads of money..give it to your MOTHER, so that the rest of us dont have to keep her in all these luxuries, that we cant even afford ourselves!

we are not sad little people, we are sticking up for our rights….why the hell should we pay for your family?? if the situation was reversed…. you would be moaning about supporting another family! to be honest…your mum shouldnt have had so many kids if she cant afford to keep them!!! you lot make me so angry!

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215

j jones

like your posts, blah.

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217

SARAH

And now the ex (Craig Le Sauvage) has sold his story to the Sunday papers…Is there no end to this story?

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219

damo

@anon

well said, you forget to mention that in addition to the handouts she gets, she also gets, free use of the infrastructure, schooling, policing etc…This is another enormous figure she ‘gets’ because the work shy selfish woman doesn’t contribute to these, just uses them. We pay for her share of these services too. The schooling alone must be costing us a small fortune.

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221

Beanjar

So the Daily Mail have finally seen the light and changed their stance from “what a lovely, big, self-supporting family” to “look at this dreadful bunch of spongers”. Perhaps now we won’t have to put up with our noses being rubbed in this disgraceful woman’s parasitic lifestyle quite so much. Although of course we will still be paying for it. Ma Watson’s face must have been a picture when she saw the hatchet job the DM have done. Excellent, must have quite spoilt her sun bed session whilst planning how the States can add a third house to Scrounger Mansion to make room for number 15. God, its depressing.

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223

L

Well said anon . mrs celeb watson wants us to pay for a 15th child the woman is a disgrace makin a mockery out of us all goin to the papers an bragging about all the benefits shes getting .Celeb watson thinks shes above us all what a cheek .

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225

Martino

I don’t think anyone is paying much attention to your serial diatribes against the plutocrats blah. I’d give up if I were you.

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227

Ray

blah

…and of course all this was happening under Labour

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229

Beanjar

Blah, why are you taking up space with irrelevant nonsense which the people of Guernsey have no say in? What on earth can we do about scottish people winning money from the Euro lottery or Rupert Murdoch or the salaries of International footballers? None of that is our fault or directly our concern.

What we can do is raise our voices in protest about the disgraceful mis-use of Guernsey benefits by one local sponger. True, nobody takes any notice but at least we are trying. You just keep trolling and muddying the waters in support of the unspeakable. If you genuinely believe it is right that this freeloader should hoover up half our tax and social security contributions just say so, and why, or give it a rest.

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231

Elizabeth

Will someone please stop this PARASITE ON SOCIETY from further breeding. She illustrates to us all that living off the tax payer can be a chosen career. Now her family is carrying on ‘learned behaviour’. Please stop this woman taking, taking,taking. I too became a single mother many years ago due to the tragic death of my husband. I never asked, or received any financial help. What is more I still work full time, although in my 70′s.

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233

Daisy Chain

Looking at Joanne Watsons photo in the People, it struck me that she looks depressed. this could be the root of wanting cosmetic surgery, sunbeds, new relationships and more babies.

She has now reached 40, and the child bearing years will be over in the next few years. She could be addicted to being pregnant and the feel good hormones. The thought of no more pregnancies could lead to reactive depression.

A chat with her doctor, and counselling would be an idea, to come to terms with how she feels. There is no shame in depression.

Like retirement, for long term workers, the idea of no more pregnancies for Joanne, will be met with the same mixed emotions, that we all feel, when our pending retirement gets closer.

Joanne, for your sake and your childrens sake, get help, with how you feel. Being a Grandmother makes you realise, that you are getting older, forget the chase for youth and perfection. Stay fit, and have fun, with the kids you have. Retain, or regain the inner child, in yourself.

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235

damo

@ Blah

If you want to talk about the european lottery, footballers wages etc… Please wait for the forum to open up. We all know there are lots of greedy wrongs happening in the world however, she has put herself into the public eye and this is the thread to discuss it. People don’t like what she’s doing anyway, but to rub our noses in it via the national media? Live by the sword, die by the sword ! If she had quietly gone about her business she might not have got slated so harshly.

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237

sb

ms watson not miss/mrs if you wish to have so many children why should we pay for them, i myself was single parent of four after an abusive relationship but got of my butt and went to workending up with just £10 per wk from supp. no maintaince , never recieving any help with items i needed so payed for all my belongings. your encourging your children to underage sex in allowing it to happen. if you cant look after them maybe you shouldn’t have had so many then you would know what they doin, family allowance should be paid for four children and NO more YOU should definatly b sterilized so u could look after then ones u have better. fertility treatent so many people deserve it way more than you do boob job if didn’t have so many kids then they wouldn’t sagg / sunbeds cause cancer they KILL who will look after your children then US again. we don’t need to know about your family in the paper we see it every day . MEN BEWARE of her and her girls they preduce too !!!!!!!

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239

AK

I say live and let live myself…but I am also a believer in freedom of speech and opinion…tricky one!

As much as some may disagree with the way the Watson family have gone about things we are all overlooking the fact that the children are human beings and each of them is going to go on and experience the everlasting beauty that is life.

They will all go through the fundamental experiences that make us human…surely something that beautiful compensates for them taking a little more form society. Concentrate on fixing the top of the pyramid..not the slightly weathered bricks beneath.

One of them could go on to cure cancer or save the world.

There will always be higher and lesser persons than yourself and if you go around hating people you don’t understand then you are spiritually devolving.

People throw stones at fruitful trees only!

I have met a great deal of the family and they are all really nice and well mannered.

Bradley is a really decent bloke and I think it’s such a shame that you feel the need to belittle his career because you disagree with his parents decisions in life. The sins of our fathers eh?!

Please try and share a little more peace and love guys. You can change the world without such negativity…

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241

PMSL

Oh my days this beast really hacks me off. I went to the states to get funding for some treatment due to a medical Condition I have and I was told that it wasnt essential so they wouldnt pay(therefore its ok for me to walk around with humiliating dark hair on my face) but what gets me is sometime I have had 3 jobs in my life paying 3 amounts of stamps and they still wouldnt help. But yet someone who pops out kids quicker than skittles gets all the help in the world and puts our money aside to pay for her boob job and sun beds. This island is a joke.

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243

Susie

There are many young woman that would like another child. They also know they could not afford it so have to make the decision to not have anymore.
Ms Watson if you feel you want so many children then you should of thought how am I going to pay for their upbringing.
But no you just thought the tax payer will pay. We ave substituted your rent for years even when you were married and your husband was working because there is no way a lorry driver /milkman would bring in enough income to feed 14 kids . Hence why we the tax payer has substituted rent ,food, school uniforms,medical,
By what I have heard from a very good source your children are devastated by your media exposure , so why don’t you put your brain in gear and think about the children you so longed for and forget about your urge for publicity .
Your a grandmother now so act like it for goodness sake.
I personally would be embarrassed if a dating agency refused to put me on their books.

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245

Young Mum

This thread is really horrible to read – you all say how upsetting it was for the children when Ms Watson went to the papers – well how much worse is it going to be for them reading all this!! Ok Ms Watson went public but the children haven’t.

I don’t agree with the way the Tax payer has paid out so much – me included I work 60 hours a week to support my 3 children but the fact is there are 11 children which still need looking after.

I think slagging off her eldest children is just cruel – I found myself pregnant at 17 and it was terrifying! I think Mariah needs support not abuse! Yes she shouldn’t have got pregnant at 15 but what’s done is done! Given her abuse and putting her down is not going to change the situation.

You also can’t blame Bradley for his comments – if he agrees with the way his family live or not – it is still his mum you are talking about!

I think something needs to change but a public bitching session is not the way

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247

L

Whos slagging her children off im sorry young mum but the only one thats caused all this public bitching as you are saying is ma watson so dont even try to make us taxpayes feel guilty.I go to work full time and im not always very well to help pay for ma watsons benefits WELLI LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD ENOUGH.DEPUTY Mark dorey how much longer are you going to allow the take take take of this lazy woman to continue why should i have a large chunktaken out of my hard earned wages to pay for her LAZY lifestyle which i cant afford for myself.

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249

Emperor Ming

I don’t see 15 spongers, I see 15 future taxpayers! Or is it 16? Not sure.. I’ve lost count.

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251

Young mum

@ L

I am really not defending what she Ms Watson has done or is doing! As a Taxpayer who works 60 hours a week and sees my husband 2 hours a day so he can work nights and we can afford to support our children, it does make me angry but my point was all this is not making the children feel any better.

It is really not their fault that their mother lives this way. They did not ask her to go to the papers or ask for the horrible comments on this.

There are ways to get things done and all I was saying is that this is not the way.

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253

bored of you lot

@ Young Mum,

If she was at all a good mother, then this blog will have no impact on her kids because she would ensure they were unable to access it.

I doubt very much there is one person on here that has any issues with her children, we all just feel sorry for them.

! Dinner Dates here we come, now we all know it’s safe!

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255

Bradley watson

@Anon

Your funny you haha I’m bashing britians no.1 u think I’m gonna let people like u take me down a peg??? No chance mate show u when I’m up there in 12 months see u later sad people :) xxx

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257

unfair

@Bradley

I don’t really think calling people on here ‘sad’ is going to get you anywhere, it just shows you as being very immature. Surely you can see where everyone is coming from. How would you like it if your boxing money was going towards paying for someone elses children whilst they did nothing. Ok you say your mum has worked in the past but why is she not working now. I have 3 children and I work 25 hours a week so that the mortgage is paid. It is what responsible parents do!

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259

CheesedOff

@Bradley

Do you think it is actually a responsible thing that your mum has done by having so many children and continuing to do so when she knows that she can’t afford their upkeep?

The problem people have with the situation is not just the number of children she has produced but the fact that she expects the hardworking population to support her and them.

Who pays for her social life and nights out by the way? That’s right, us workers do. NOW do you see the problem?

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261

unknown

Ive heard and agree with most of the comments posted, but i think she has the right idear,cheap rent for live, never has to work, £2,000 a month from the states, free doctors etc.
Plus her kids have the same now.
We are the mugs by working all our life for a pension thats about £145 each a week and thats if we live to be 65.
so i take my hat off to mrs Whatson because she knows how to work the system.

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263

sarnia expat

Hey Bradley – you are “bashing” Britains – not the word you used. At least we know your education has not suffered…… Just watch what you say – a lifetime in Guernsey is a very long time and people have long memories. Don’t forget that you will need to get a job when the high life you think professional boxing provides, ends. Who will be laughing then eh?

Incidently – love the outfit.

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265

ANON

I cannot beleive how many times this ridiculous woman has been in the paper over the past week! Seriously, grow up Joanne you are not a teenager anymore! Well, actually you think you are from the way you dress and the way your always dancing on tables in town – you should be ashamed of yourself – a mother acting like that!

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267

Yes

Her children have as little sense of taking responsibility as she does. One of them crashed into the side of my girlfriends car and told her insurer it was my girlfriends fault. Her child was hanging out the side of the car and frankly lucky to still be in possession of his head, not that she even noticed.

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269

Bob

For an understanding of how this behaviour tends to impact society, please watch the movie called ‘Idiocracy’.

Admittedly its a lighthearted poke at society, but when compared to this its shockingly accurate!

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271

bcb

kilroy
Are you for real?
do you think this only happens in Guernsey?

The courts would be filled to breaking point if all 15 year old girls b/f were prosocuted or even reported for rape.

Just another one who finds any excuse to have a pop at anything Guernsey eh when you know full well the same thing happens all over the world.

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273

all that she wants

Sad are we Brad, well you have just lost one supporter. You like your mother think that you are cut above. Its about time all us Guerns got together and did a demonstration walk. If we feel that strongly and what things to change then we should do it. Anyone up for this.

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275

blah

despite mrs watson having gone to the media agencies and despite the fact that she has very, very unusually had umpteen kids and despite a tiny, miniscule bit of my hard earned income tax helping her to look after said kids (who show no sign of neglect or abuse) and despite everything else that has been publicy reported, i am still not greatly angered or threatened by her or her family, although i hope that she does learn very quickly to leave the media alone, soon and for good. this is a rare, unusual situation and does not threaten anyone, in any way. if every woman started having 14 kids then we might have a problem to consider, but we do not and will not. what continues to stagger me is how well the scapegoat theory is proved here, and how intense is the level of hate levelled at this woman (and now her son), and i think the progress and civility of guernsey society should be measured by this reaction. 90% of islanders, reported, would run her out of town, 10% used their head a bit and are supportive of the family, though not necessarily of all of mrs watson’s lifestyle. i hope for all our sakes this reaction does not reflect every guernsey person or, if so, the oft-touted notion that we are a caring, christian and charitable community is surely spiralling, one-winged, into the dirt. of course we are amazed, of course we think she should call it a day. but it is not her fault if people have a problem with her flagged-up fecundity – if she reminds people that she, and therefore they, are all sexual human animals – and i reckon that that big, real, mirror that she holds up bothers a lot of our good island brethren and underpins most of the very, very boring ‘my taxes paid for her baked beans, so i couldn’t get my second holiday’ bleats. the watsons are a perfect example of a social issue which, because it is so very visible, provokes a moral panic. a similar phenomenon is vandalism – very visible, never ever threatening the social order but regularly provoking ridiculous over-reaction (‘lester’, possibly queripel, on the last bbc gsy phone-in announced, straight faced, that he feared for his safety in his own home!!!!? – where’s that lester? the vale douzaine room or the suburbs of damascus, kabul and tripoli? and you call yourself an artist, yet you want the excellent ‘isolation’ work censored and the artist flogged?? if i did not know better, all that sounded like an well advanced and very unsubtle populist election salvo. then .. probable drunken persons trying to take home a fibreglass model of a donkey (a donkey?) from admiral park provoked a string of calls to bbc gsy’s new, old reactionary (i forget his name now) demanding, in unison, the birch!). meanwhile ..(stick with it folks).. the island’s invisible, hidden AND SERIOUSLY damaging social problems remain well hidden by powerful self-interest (e.g. cheap and readily available booze or local tax avoidance), or they just struggle to be heard (“caroline says .. as she gets up from the floor .. you can beat me all you want to, but i don’t love you anymore”). the guernsey press did not march mrs watson to the daily mail gallows, but the difference between the two papers (sorry to compare you with the mail mr editor) is that the local press have the watsons trapped in their own backyard and at the mercy of local media reaction. i’d suggest the guernsey press throws a bucket of cold water over everyone concerned very soon, before the hysteria ends with a brick through the watsons’ window and the children being spat at.

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277

Joe Bloggs

I am disgusted to read about a local person who has deemed to bring into the World so many children at a time when the planet is starting to fall short of food and water. If every person had this many children, humankind would definitely become extinct very quickly due to famine.

The Chinese used to have a 1 child per family rule. This was an extreme law created to control China’s extreme population. It is what ALL countries should be doing to control global population. If it is not done, there be be food & water WARS.

In the case of this local lady, she very clearly must be so incredibly STUPID that she has no idea of the ramificatons of her actions. Clearly she has never heard of birth control.

Frankly, she should NOT receive any benefit at all. She and her children should get themselves off this rock ASAP and stop scrounging. And she should not scrounge off England’s system either.

Harsh words to a very stupid and pathetic woman.

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279

Beanjar

Nurse! Blah’s fallen out of bed again!

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281

Irritated

I think the States of Guernsey should be thoroughly embarrassed by this family and all the negative attention they give Guernsey. Makes us look simple and gives out the wrong impression of Guernsey!! Seriously, why would anyone want 14+ children I know so many woman who cant even have one, her flippant attitude to contraception and getting pregnant is very shallow and sad! I firmly believe its her calling in life to get attention not to “want” or “love and nurture” a child!

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283

CheesedOff

@ Irritated

You’d think so wouldn’t you? Deputy Mark Dorey says that there’s nothing wrong with the benefits system. That’s what he said on the radio a couple of days ago…..

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285

David

@ proud young mum

It’s not about the ones who are “doing it right” that’s the whole point here. You make it sound like you should be congratulated for working to support your children and not claiming benefits?? You wanted kids, you pay to feed them.

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287

Ms Anon

To Bradley – good luck with your boxing and I really hope that you do well and are successful. Maybe one day you might put something back into the community! With regards Mrs Watson, I know stories make money, but by publishing her story then aren’t the papers/press just glamourising the situation. However that doesn’t take away from her seemingly couldn’t care a less attitude towards her fellow Islanders having to help contribute for all of her children. The fact that she sounds like she wants more is just purely selfish and irresponsible after already having so many. I’d count myself lucky if I were to have just one child! Maybe she should’ve been told that her benfits wouldn’t increase if she continued to have any more children maybe at around the 4th or 5th one! I’m not sure how accurate the reporting was but she was even reported to have said that she’d like a child with brown hair! For goodness sake with comments like that no wonder people feel obliged to comment. Maybe she should buy a bottle of hair dye if that’s really the case!

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289

mad!!!

has had enough of the watsons being in the paper we dont give a dam about what they got to say….al we care about is not having anymore money taken from us to pay for her children and anymore she plans on having she in her 40′s it time to stop..and be happy with what she has but she not that just plan sad if u ask me!

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291

Paul Le Page

Fair point, Michael R. Although it might stick in the mouth of a lot of local folk, you can’t really blame someone for taking – according to local law – what is theirs by right.

Let’s face it, a lot of us who’ve had children claimed our £2k+ maternity from Social Security as well as our £15 per week. If we were completely honest I’m 99.9% sure a fair few of us would admit we didn’t really need it – we simply took it because we could. Although the figures might be considerably different the principle is the same.

I am in favour of the welfare state, as a community we should ensure those in need get a helping hand – whether that be short or long term. I accept there are those that play the system or don’t need the benefits, but it is up to the authorities of Guernsey to decide (a) who should be eligible to receive benefits; and (b) how those benefits should be delivered – whether in cash, vouchers, goods. It is also up to them to ensure only those eligible to receive benefits get them.

So, rather than gossiping and throwing endless bile at Miss Watson (which achieves nothing) – if you want the situation to change, make your feelings known to your Deputies….and remember there’s an election next year.

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