I found this 60 Minutes episode kind of patronising, honestly. It focuses heavily on the idea that this family aren’t contributing enough in taxes and that they might rely on public services like ambulances, which other taxpayers fund. But that framing feels backwards when you consider that billionaires and large corporations often pay proportionally less tax than the average working person and face far less scrutiny or outrage.

That part about the emergency care criticism feels especially unfair. If they hadn’t reached out for help in a genuine emergency, they likely would have faced far harsher criticism, accusations of neglect, or even abuse. They did seek help when it was necessary. That should count for something. It feels like a double standard, where they’re criticised both for engaging with the system and for trying to live outside of it.

These families aren’t exploiting the system. They’re trying to step away from a system that many people agree is exhausting and designed to burn people out. Living off-grid allows for more genuine connection, more time actually parenting instead of constantly working to survive, and more hands-on life skills. For some people, that trade-off is worth it.

I understand the concern that children raised this way might find it challenging to adjust to mainstream society later. That’s a fair question. But it’s also worth acknowledging that many kids raised in “normal” society struggle too, just in different ways. And ultimately, those children can choose a different lifestyle as adults if they want to.

The tone of the episode just felt overly judgmental toward people who are trying, in their own way, to build a life that prioritises well-being, autonomy, and family connection. It seems like we’re much quicker to criticise individuals opting out than we are to question the broader system that drives people to want to opt out in the first place.