Student shocks with confession "I want 5s so my parents can get welfare."
A 14-year-old boy in Austria has revealed he is deliberately getting bad grades so his parents can continue receiving Sozialhilfe (social welfare).
"I need a 5 so my parents can get social assistance," he said. In the Austrian school system, a "5" is a failing grade. The teenager explained that if he performs too well, authorities could argue his family is less needy and cut their benefits.
The case highlights how poverty and bureaucracy are pushing children into impossible situations. According to support organizations, more than 700,000 people in Austria live with too little money. For many, shame keeps them silent. Parents withdraw, children are not allowed to play with others, and basic activities like going to the pool, cinema, or joining a sports club become impossible.
Experts say the pressure on families is enormous. To apply for Sozialhilfe, applicants must provide detailed information about personal and financial circumstances, income, assets, and housing costs. If the authorities decide the family has other sources of support, payments can be reduced or stopped. That leaves parents terrified of anything that could be used against them, including a child’s academic success.
Support groups like Caritas and Pro Juventute warn that children in these situations carry adult burdens. "Parents suffer when they have too little money. They are ashamed. They don’t want anyone to find out," one counselor said. They urge families not to hide, and to seek help early instead of letting children take on responsibility that isn’t theirs.
The boy’s story has sparked debate about how Austria’s welfare system handles vulnerable families. Advocates argue that no child should have to sabotage school to keep their parents afloat.