Lots of babies, lots of partners, lots of houses and lots of benefits.

Welcome to the career dream of young boys already failing in the education system.

Alison Sutherland, who works in Wairarapa schools with children who have behavioural problems, says many of the boys she deals with – who haven't even reached their teenage years – can only see being the father of children and living with their mothers ahead.

"That is their career future," she said of youngsters who were opting out of education and employment because they saw babies as a source of income.

But coupled with the desire for children was a complete lack of understanding of what being a good parent might entail.

"There is no warmth about loving little children or wanting to be good parents. It is purely about this being a pathway to an income," the one-time principal of a youth justice facility school said.

"They have a perception that their future is to be unemployed. That is their norm. They have no sensitivity for the children – they see it as their form of income."

Sutherland said in some cases the children were merely repeating what they saw in their own homes.

"They perceive that they'll get a girl pregnant. She will be on some form of benefit and will get a house, and that they'll live with them, and that is their income.

"They live with mum, who often has a number of children and boyfriends."

Despite that gloomy outlook, Sutherland remains committed to helping her young charges and changing their perceptions.

"I'm trying to encourage the boys to be at school to learn, so they can get a job. Their reality is that the men in their lives live off mum, so they say, `Why would I get a job? I don't need one, I'll be like whoever the chap is who is living with mum at the moment'."

The sole-parent domestic purposes benefit is available to those over 18 who are not in a relationship with the other parent and do not have a partner, or who have lost their support.

The Work and Income website says the net weekly rate is $288.47, although it can be reduced if the other parent isn't legally identified.

Under 18-year-olds who are alone, caring for children and can't support themselves can apply for an Emergency Maintenance Allowance.

Late last year the Ministry of Social Development said it was difficult to estimate how many young men were fathers because their names weren't always on their children's birth certificates.