Negative effects of family allowances

Family allowance schemes usually apply universally to all families with children. As such, instead of being a measure for redistribution of income as part of social security, it acts as an incentive to larger families. In certain countries, this incentive is adopted as a deliberate way of increasing population. In others, where it was intended as a means of ensuring adequate child welfare, this aim is not fulfilled, and underprivileged minorities are often accused of irresponsibly producing more children in order to obtain the family allowances.

Family allowances are granted until the child reaches a certain age - 12 in Iran, 15 In Japan, 16 in Bulgaria, Australia and New Zealand, and 18 in the USA. However, in certain circumstances, particularly when the child is continuing with his studies, allowances are paid up to a higher age (18 in Iran and New Zealand, 20 in Japan, 21 in the USA).