The rule applied in the UK is not discriminatory in itself, because it can be used
against male claimants as well as female claimants; but in practice, it seems to be used
mainly against single parents, the vast majority of whom are women, and who are
considered prime candidates for investigation. The rule could, then, be considered to be a
form of 'institutional sexism' - sexist in effect if not in form. But this begs the question,
whether it is the rule which has the effect, or whether it only reflects a more fundamental
problem.