Imagine this: Two divorced parents locked in an endless contest to outdo each other.
"I'll take you to Disneyland Paris," says the mother to their children.
"Oh no," replies the father, "I'll take you to the one in Orlando."
A new PlayStation here, the latest Oculus there...

Meanwhile, the children sit back and watch, like spectators at a ping-pong match, eyes gleaming, waiting to see who will offer more, who will win their affection with the biggest, flashiest gift. They watch the bids rise higher, waiting to see who loves them "more." It is not about parents wanting to give their children the best. Any child expert would tell you that this constant competition is not love but breeds more than just spoiled children; it nurtures an entitlement culture, a mindset where wanting becomes expecting, and gratitude gives way to demand. It's a cycle of "I want it all, I want it now."

That same sense of competition, like the grudged parents trying to outdo each other, seemed to play out on a national scale. This week we've seen news portals reducing the budget discussion to one question, "what's-in-it-for-me", bringing an undercurrent of entitlement culture running through the entire discussion. We cannot afford to breed an entitlement culture through financial quick fixes, one that measures care in handouts rather than civic responsibility and wider collective conscience.

And with that, I'm just waiting for the first online troll to post, "Imma c-cheque tieћdu int hux." Yes, I do, of course, I'd welcome a cheque like anyone else. But honestly, I wouldn't be disappointed if money is invested in the common good. What would truly please me is not having to see billboards of sick children round Christmas time, reminding us to contribute to their cure. And for their mothers to plead on TV in their most vulnerable moment to help her child. I prefer if they do not have to reach out to the invaluable work of the Community Chest Fund to help out. No one has to be placed in such vulnerable position in an economy that is thriving.

Certain benefits, tax breaks, and incentives do play a vital role in the collective good. They help ease the financial burden on families, for instance, through the essential therapy allowance for children with disabilities. Equally important is the no-tax scheme for families with a median income, which offers meaningful relief to those balancing everyday expenses. These measures provide much-needed support, especially for those who despite being considered the 'middle-class', defined by their job title and income bracket, are finding it challenging to make-ends meet.

Yet, it is equally important to recognise that financial quick-fixes are not always the only solution, for several reasons. There are broader sociological factors that must be considered, not just economic ones. For instance, I genuinely doubt that parents would decide to have another child solely because of a €1,500 incentive. Time poverty is just as significant as financial poverty. Many families simply lack the time, support networks, and work-life balance needed to raise children, regardless of monetary incentives.

Another budget initiative which shall impact all family members is the announcement of offering a free ChatGPT subscription. While I can see the benefit of this, however it cannot be given without responsibility and rethinking how this would affect the educational process and the way of thinking. AI must be seen as a tool, not a replacement of the thinking process and a shortcut in the learning trajectory. Again, it cannot be treated as a quick-fix for faster productivity, especially if that comes at the expense of independent thinking and meaningful learning.

The implementation of such schemes, benefits and incentives, work best when they are anchred in responsibility and purpose, rather than "what's-in-it-for-me" mindset or populist stances to garner votes by the two parties wanting to out-do each other. Their goal should be empowerment, giving people the means and confidence to build better lives for themselves and others, rather than cultivating a mindset where support becomes entitlement and incentives turn into dependencies.  

Beyond individual benefit lies a shared duty: to understand how personal expectations influence the common good. Reviving a culture of social responsibility is essential if we are to move beyond entitlement.

And yes, I am aware that ABBA had in mind something else in their Gimme Gimme Gimme song rather than a budget hand-out.

Prof. Valerie Visanich is an Associate Professor in Sociology