Disabled Children or Disabled Society? The Growing Number of Children Receiving Social Security Benefits on the Grounds of Disability in the Netherlands

Abstract

The number of children and youngsters receiving social security benefits as a result of disability is increasing in the Netherlands. The number receiving Child Benefits for Disabled Children aged 3 to 17 years has increased sharply. Upon reaching the age of 18 youngsters may apply for disability benefits. The inflow into this disability scheme now is three times as high as it was ten years ago. In 2006 roughly 1 in 20 youngsters aged 18 entered the scheme. This trend can be observed not only in social security arrangements, but also in other policy fields, such as education, health care and youth care. This seems to be caused in particular by growing incidence of psychological and behavioural problems. Reduced non take-up is a further reason for this trend. But more importantly: it seems as if certain psychological disorders and problematic forms of behaviour, which were not recognised as a disability before, are now labelled as problematic. Society is becoming more demanding, and families and schools' ability to cope cannot match these growing demands.