Interdependence and a universal basic income Bringing up the next generation is one of the most important unpaid tasks in our society, which requires support from the community. It is vital work, as well as being for many a joy, and should not be just for the rich. We are on the border line of only just reproducing ourselves with declining birth rates, with those on lower incomes barely able to afford children. UBI needs to include children, recognising the above arguments for collective responsibility for costs. Collective returns will result from this as an investment in the future.
Children too are citizens, contributing both when young and later.
Celia Briar has argued that under any UBI system that did not cover children, many women could be even worse off than they are now. Of course, many elements of bringing up children are currently paid for collectively, as well as by parental contributions in money and time. First, the community collectively supports children directly through subsidies to health, early childhood care and education, through compulsory age education and through grants to voluntary sector organisations such as Plunket. Second, the Domestic Purposes Benefit is paid on the basis of dependents, largely children. Funding for all of these are under pressure.