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The problem of unemployment lies, in a very special case, at the root of most other social problems. Society is built up on labour; it lays upon its members responsibilities which in the vast majority of cases can be met only from the reward of labour; it imprisons for beggary and brands for pauperism; its ideal unit is the household of man, wife and children maintained by the earnings of the first alone. The household should have at all times sufficient room and air according to its size - but how, if the income is too irregular always to pay the rent? The children, till they themselves can work, should be supported by the parents - but how, unless the father has employment? The wife, so long at least as she is bearing and bringing up children, should have no other task - but how, if the husband's earnings fail and she has to go out to work? Everywhere the same difficulty recurs. Reasonable security of employment for the bread-winner is the basis of all private duties and all sound social action
W. H. Beveridge (1909). Unemployment? A Problem of Industry, (Ams Press, New York), p.1
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