Walker

Brandon Walker March 23, 2012 HASS 102 The Quick Fix Philoso h!" o# Wel#are $e#or%& 'os( 'oncerns )u(*ei+h (he ,% or(ance o# -duca(ion Introduction The Wel#are $e#or% Bill o# 1../ *as (he resul( o# s(ra(e+ic lannin+ 0! 'lin(on and 'on+ress in e##or(s (o re1a% (he *el#are s!s(e% and (he u0lic2s erce (ion o# *el#are

reci ien(s3 This re#or% in1ol1ed (i%e li%i(s and *ork re4uire%en(s in order #or reci ien(s (o

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recei1e 0ene#i(s3 The +oal o# (he re#or%, *hich *as (o +e( *el#are reci ien(s ar(ici a(in+ in (he *ork#orce, in %! o inion, lacked cri(ical co% onen(s such as +uaran(eein+ 5o0 o 0e#ore (he re4uire%en(s *ere se( in lace, su or(uni(ies

or(in+ (hose (ransi(ionin+ ou( o# *el#are, and

ro%o(in+ (he i% or(ance o# educa(ion3 , also e% hasi6e (he role (ha( case %ana+ers and *el#are o##ice cul(ure la!ed in sha in+ reci ien(s" erce (ions o# (he 1alue and i% or(ance o# educa(ion3 As a resul(, ro%o(in+ Wel#are7(o7Work ro+ra%s and u((in+ *ork #irs( 1ersus educa(ion #irs(, caused di##icul(ies #or (hose (r!in+ (o +e( o## o# *el#are, es eciall! (hose reci ien(s *ho *ere *o%en o# color, 0ecause (he! *ere li%i(ed in (heir *ork o or(uni(ies 0ecause o# (heir

educa(ion3 ,n (he #irs( sec(ion, , ro1ide a residen(ial ers ec(i1e on *el#are and ho* 'lin(on chose *el#are re#or% durin+ (he 1..2 ca% ai+n 0ecause i( andered (o (he 0elie#s o# his %os( i% or(an( (ar+e( audience& *hi(e %iddle7class 1o(ers *ho had a0andoned (he 8e%ocra(ic Par(! 9'arcasson 200/:3 , also de%ons(ra(e ho* (he 0ill lacked *ork o or(uni(ies, !e( included (he

harsh (i%e li%i(s and *ork re4uire%en(s3 The second sec(ion ex lores (he reali(ies o# *el#are 0e#ore re#or%, #ollo*ed 0! an ex(ensi1e look a( (he chan+es re#or% crea(ed3 ;ex(, , anal!6e (he 0arriers (ha( hinder (he success o# *el#are %o(hers such as& educa(ion, nu%0er o# de enden(s,

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and racial iden(i(!< all o# *hich crea(ed considera0le 1aria(ion in success, 0u( *el#are ro+ra%s #ail (o ackno*led+e (hese charac(eris(ics3 =nders(andin+ (he reali(ies o# *el#are and re#or% #ro% (he ers ec(i1es o# *o%en o# color *ho ar(ici a(ed in (he M-T Pro+ra% *hile #acin+ *el#are re#or%, can ro1ide so%e insi+h(3 Finall!, , resen( (he i% or(ance o# educa(ion in order (o achie1e sel#7reliance and u *ard econo%ic %o0ili(!, and ho* case *orkers *ork a+ains( (hose *ishin+ (o ursue educa(ion as a (ool (o reach (heir +oals3 Framework for a Virtuous Reform ;e+a(i1e social o inions and erce (ions (o*ards (he *el#are s!s(e% and reci ien(s ha1e +i1en rise (o hos(ile oli(ical 1ie*s, and di% 1isions #or (he #u(ure o# *el#are3 The collec(i1e #eelin+s o# conde%na(ion crea(ed an a(%os here (ha( reeked o# disa ro1al and lon+ed #or chan+e3 ,n 1..2, Bill 'lin(on addressed (he issue o# *el#are (o #uel su or( #or his residen(ial

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ca% ai+n3 Al(hou+h re#or% *i(hin (he *el#are s!s(e% *as necessar!, a ri%ar! %o(i1e 0ehind 'lin(on"s lan *as (o +ain su or( #ro% (hose *ho des ised *el#are (he %os(< %iddle class and

su0ur0an 1o(ers3 ,# elec(ed, he ro%ised (o end *el#are 9'arcasson, 200/:3 ,n (his sec(ion , *ill exa%ine 'lin(on"s s(ra(e+ic a roach (o *el#are, and his a((e% ( (o al(er socie(!"s sche%as o# (he *el#are s!s(e% and reci ien(s3 , *ill #ur(her discuss con(ro1ersies and de0a(es (ha( arose durin+ (he #or%a(ion o# 0ill, and o*er s(ru++les 0e(*een 'lin(on and 'on+ress, *hich caused *el#are re#or% (o (ake a di##eren( direc(ion (han (ha( o# *ha( 'lin(on had en1isioned3 'lin(on sa* an o or(uni(! (o no( onl! (ackle an issue (ha( #or decades had no( 0een or(3 'lin(on also reali6ed (ha( socie(! had 0eco%e osed (o (he use o#

addresses, 0u( (o also +ain 1o(ers" su

#rus(ra(ed *i(h (he curren( *el#are s!s(e%, 0u( *h!> Wh! *ere so %an! o

*el#are> Wel#are had 0een cri(ici6ed #or %akin+ reci ien(s la6! and de enden( on (he

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+o1ern%en(3 Those *ho recei1ed *el#are *ere 0elie1ed (o 0e indi1iduals *ho *ere (oo la6! (o #ind *ork< also kno*n as (he undeser1in+ oor3 The non7 oor a((ri0u(e o1er(! (o indi1idualis(ic causes and (hus had a s(ron+ ne+a(i1e 1ie* o# *el#are reci ien(s3 The oor are charac(eri6ed as& dishones(, de enden(, la6!, unin(eres(ed in educa(ion, and ro%iscuous 9'arcasson, 200/:3,n (he sec(ions (ha( #ollo*, , *ill address and ex lore (hese erce (ions o# *el#are reci ien(s and (he har%#ul re ercussions (he! crea(ed3 Because (here *as such an(i a(h! (o*ards *el#are, 'lin(on had (o #ra%e *el#are in a *a! (ha( *ould +ain 1o(ers" su or(, 0u( also ro(ec( reci ien(s #ro% 0ein+ slandered 0! socie(!3

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A%ericans *ere *illin+ (o hel (he *orkin+ oor, 0u( no( *el#are reci ien(s, al(hou+h (he! *ere one in (he sa%e3 'lin(on"s ro0le% *i(h *el#are *as& i( *as a 0roken s!s(e% 9'arcasson, 200/:3 ,n conse4uence, 'lin(on s(ra(e+icall! a((acked (he *el#are s!s(e%, ar(iall! de#ended *el#are reci ien(s, and ar+ued #or a co%0ina(ion o# re4uirin+ %ore *ork and res onsi0ili(! and ro1idin+ %ore o or(uni(ies as (he solu(ion 9'arcasson, 200/:< hence, (he conce (ion o# (he Personal or(uni(! $econcilia(ion Ac( %a(eriali6ed3 The Personal or(uni(! $econcilia(ion Ac( re laced Aid (o Fa%ilies *i(h

$es onsi0ili(! and Work ) $es onsi0ili(! and Work )

8e enden( 'hildren 9AF8': *i(h Te% orar! Assis(ance #or ;eed! Fa%ilies 9TA;F:3 The 0ill *as la0eled ?a cruel %ons(rosi(!@ and ?le+isla(i1e child a0use@ 9'arcasson 200/, 3/A/:3 ,( *as

desi+ned (o sa1e AA 0illion in #ederal ex endi(ures, and es(i%a(ed (o u( 131 %illion %ore children in o1er(! 9 3/A/:3 'lin(on had a ho e#ul 1ision #or (he #u(ure o# *el#are3 Ho*e1er,

'lin(on"s 1ision #or *el#are had exceeded a realis(ic 0ud+e(3 Moreo1er, (he #ac( (ha( (he $e u0licans had (aken o1er 'on+ress onl! co% lica(ed %a((ers3 Ha1in+ 'on+ress and 'lin(on co%e (o an a+ree%en( *as no( eas!3 ,( *as a cons(an( s(ru++le #or co% ro%ise3 'on+ress dra#(ed (*o 0ills, *hich 'lin(on 0o(h 1e(oed 0ecause (he! su or(ed *ork, 0u( no( #a%il! 9/A.:3 'lin(on

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*orked (o es(a0lish (he idea (ha( *el#are reci ien(s *an(ed (o *ork, 0u( could onl! do so i# ro1ided *i(h o re%o1ed 9 or(uni(ies and i# ke! 0arriers such as (he lack o# heal(h care and childcare *ere

3//2:3 'lin(on shi#(ed (he 0la%e #ro% reci ien(s (o (he s!s(e% o# *el#are3 He ar+ued

(ha( *el#are is (o 0la%e, no( reci ien(s< (he! are %erel! 1ic(i%s o# a s!s(e% (ha( (ra s (he%3 Accordin+ (o 'lin(on, (he onl! *a! (o al(er an(i7*el#are cul(ure and hel (he *orkin+ oor, are (o ro1ide (he% *i(h (he o ins(ill res onsi0ili(!3 or(uni(ies needed (o +e( (he% ar(ici a(in+ in (he la0or %arke( and or(uni(ies alread! exis(ed, and (he or(uni(ies

$e u0licans ar+ued (ha( (he o

in+redien( %issin+ *as res onsi0ili(!3 )n (he o(her hand, 8e%ocra(s ar+ued (ha( o

*ere lackin+ and #ocusin+ on indi1idual"s res onsi0ili(! *as an un#air a((ack on (he disad1an(a+ed 9 3//A:3 ;e1er(heless, 'lin(on endorsed 0o(h co% onen(s3 As 0rie#l! discussed

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re1iousl!, #inali6in+ a 0ill *as a cons(an( s(ru++le 0ecause o# (he o*er held 0! (*o ar(ies *i(h o osin+ ideolo+ies3 'lin(on a+reed (o (he (hird re1ision o# (he 0ill, *hich had less cu(s (o 3//0:3 The ke! olic! as ec(s o# (he res onsi0ili(! side #ocused on (he *ork ri%aril! crea(ed 0! (he $e u0lican

heal(hcare 9

re4uire%en(s and (i%e li%i(s #or *el#are, *hich *ere

do%ina(ed 'on+ress3 The re4uire%en(s and (i%e li%i(s *ere unders(ood as (he co%%on +round 0e(*een 'on+ress and 'lin(on 0ecause he *as co%#or(a0le *i(h re4uirin+ 9 eo le (o *ork

3///:3 'lin(on has recei1ed a +rea( deal cri(icis% #or (he harsh" re4uire%en(s included in (he

P$W)$A3 Ho*e1er, *ha( %an! #ail (o reali6e is (ha( 'lin(on had en1isioned a di##eren( direc(ion #or *el#are (han (he one (ha( *as i% le%en(ed 13 His ori+inal lan did no( include (he (i%e li%i(s3 ,( included increased s endin+ #or childcare, child su
1

or(, heal(hcare, (rans or(a(ion,

Clintons inability to remove welfare reform from the agenda or to significantly alter the specifics of the Republican bill to match his original proposals thus becomes another example of the weakness of the power of the presidency in the face of congressional and popular opposition. Clinton was thus forced! to sign a bill he disagreed with in order to ensure reelection and keep the office away from Republican hands.

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housin+, 5o0 (rainin+, %ini%u% *a+e, and -,T'3 ,( also included a +uaran(eed di+ni#ied and %eanin+#ul co%%uni(! 5o0, a##orda0le 4uali(! heal(hcare, and *orkin+ *a+es 9 3//B:< all o#

*hich *ere no( included in (he 1../ 0ill he si+ned3 )ne reason (hese 0ene#i(s ne1er %a(eriali6ed is 0ecause i( *ould ha1e %ean( %ore o# (ax a!ers" dollars< dollars (he! *eren"( *illin+ (o s end on 0ene#i(s #or *el#are reci ien(s3 'lin(on con(inuousl! *orked (o +e( 1o(ers (o su or( *el#are reci ien(s as *ell as %akin+

*ork look a((rac(i1e3 'lin(on 0elie1ed (ha( #or a *el#are reci ien( (o 0eco%e sel#7su##icien(, a 5o0 %us( #irs( exis(3 He also a((e% (ed (o crea(e incen(i1es #or *orkin+ such as increasin+ -,T' and

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increasin+ %ini%u% *a+e o# (he o

9//B:3 ,n (he end, 'lin(on si+ned a 0ill in(o a la* (ha( included #e*

or(uni(!70ased ro1isions he dee%ed cri(ical a( (he 0e+innin+ o# his (er% in o##ice

9'arcasson 200/:3 A#(er (he 0ill *as si+ned, 'lin(on (hen shi#(ed (he res onsi0ili(! #ro% reci ien(s (o =ni(ed S(a(es ci(i6ens3 ,n 1..B, he ar+ued (ha( A%erican ci(i6ens had a %oral o0li+a(ion (o %ake sure (ha( (he eo le, *ho no* %us( *ork, can *ork 9 3/B1:3 $el!in+ on

A%erican ci(i6ens ins(ead o# ha1in+ a concre(e lan or ro+ra%, #e* 5o0 (rainin+s, and educa(ion o or(uni(ies, de%ons(ra(es (he lack o# o or(uni(ies crea(ed #or reci ien(s, se( (he ace #or a

re#or% (ha( *ould crea(e a do%ino e##ec( o# #ailure and un*an(ed resul(s3 Pre-Welfare Culture Wha( *as li#e like #or *el#are reci ien(s 0e#ore 1../> A#(er (he i% le%en(a(ion o# P$W)$A, researchers *ere a0le (o o0ser1e di##erence in *ell70ein+, and co% are (he% (o (he as(< (he cul(ure o# *el#are 0e#ore 1../3 Were reci ien(s 1ie*ed di##eren(l!> Was (here a shi#( in (he a! o# reci ien(s> This sec(ion *ill address *ha( (he s(a(e o# *el#are *as 0e#ore 'lin(on"s re#or%3 ,n 200C, da(a *as collec(ed #ro% (he ;a(ional Don+i(udinal Sur1e! o# Eou(h (o ans*er

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(hese (hree s eci#ic research 4ues(ions& 9a: did oor sin+le %o(hers ha1e 0e((er econo%ic *ell7 0ein+ and ro1ide a %ore osi(i1e ho%e en1iron%en( in 1..F 9 os(7*el#are re#or%: (han in 1..C 9 re7*el#are re#or%:> 90: 8id (hese di##erences 0e(*een re7 and os(7*el#are re#or% ha1e an! associa(ion *i(h %a(ernal educa(ion le1els> 9c: 8id econo%ic *ell7 0ein+ and s(a(us o# (he ho%e en1iron%en( a##ec( children"s de1elo %en(al ou(co%es di##eren(l!, co% arin+ re7 and os(7 *el#are re#or% !ears> 9Dee, 200. 3/0C:3 Po(en(iall!, (his da(a can ro1ide insi+h( on *el#are

cul(ure 0e#ore re#or% in 1../3 Fro% (he ;DSE *e are a0le (o dra* se1eral conclusions3 Firs(, #e*er %o(hers recei1ed u0lic assis(ance in 1..F (han in 1..C3 )nl! (hir(! six ercen( o# %o(hers recei1ed an! (! e o# assis(ance in 1..F, *hereas #i#(! (*o ercen( recei1ed assis(ance in 1..C 9Dee, 3/0F:3 Second, in 1..C, HS7 %o(hers 2 recei1ed a %ar+inall! hi+her a%oun( o# AF8' or(

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(han %ore educa(ed %o(hers 9GC,B3/ 1s3 GC,3A0:3 0u( (he! also recei1ed less child su 9

3/0F:3 Third, rior (o (he 1../ *el#are re#or%, HS7 %o(hers *orked si+ni#ican(l! #e*er *eeks

and shor(er hours (han HSH %o(hers3 A#(er P$W)$A, HS7 %o(hers *orked as %an! hours as HSH %o(hers3 Moreo1er, (o(al #a%il! inco%e and (he o1er(! s(a(us chan+ed #ro% 1..C (o 1..F de endin+ on %a(ernal educa(ional le1els3 ,("s clear (ha( *el#are cul(ure *as %ore su or(i1e and

#a1ored %o(hers *i(h lo*er le1els o# educa(ion< ho*e1er, a#(er (he re#or%, *as (his o ula(ion 0e((er o##> Bene#i(s #or HS7 *ere 0e((er 0e#ore re#or%3 ;one(heless, one (hin+ is #or cer(ain& (he le1el o# educa(ion a reci ien("s has is an i% or(an( iece o# (he e4ua(ion3 More i% or(an( (han %os( eo le en+a+ed in *el#are discourse *ould dare (o ad%i(3 Reform for a Better Tomorrow, or so We Thought

"

#others who have less than eleven years of education and $%& mothers are those mothers who have at least eleven years of education or more. ' #others with more education have more occupational opportunities( which tend to pay more. )herefore( they have less financial needs because they ac*uire the education and skills to secure +obs with ade*uate pay.

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The Personal $es onsi0ili(! and Work )

or(uni(! $econcilia(ion Ac( *as si+ned in(o

la* Au+us( 22, 1../ 0! Presiden( Bill 'lin(on3 The ri%ar! +oal o# (he re#or% *as (o encoura+e *el#are7de enden( %o(hers *i(h !oun+ children (o en(er (he aid la0or #orce and %akin+ *ork (he social nor% 9Dee 3/02:3 ,n order (o achie1e (his +oal ho*e1er, (he +o1ern%en( needed (o

ins(ill sel#7reliance in reci ien(s3 )ne *a! o# doin+ (ha( *as (o no lon+er %ake *el#are an en(i(le%en(3 For decades, assis(ance had 0een accessi0le (o %os( a lican(s3 There *ere #e* 0arrier (ha( ke ( reci ien(s #ro% 0ene#i(s3 Ee(, (he re#or% re laced AF8' 9*hich *as a ro+ra% (ha( *as %uch %ore +enerous *i(h 0ene#i(s and lenien( *i(h re4uire%en(s: *i(h TA;F3 TA;F hel es(a0lish (he ne* a(%os here #or *el#are (ha( 'lin(on and 'on+ress *ere ho in+ (o

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acco% lish3 The ke! ele%en(s o# (he ro+ra% *ere (he *ork re4uire%en(s and a li#e(i%e li%i( #or 0ene#i(s3 ;e* *ork re4uire%en(s *ere i% osed on (he %o(hers, and *ork re4uire%en(s *ere (o *ork a#(er a %axi%u% o# (*en(! #our %on(hs on aid or less, and (here is a cu%ula(i1e li#e(i%e li%i( o# #i1e !ears on reci ien( o# aid 9Handler, 31: The (*o re4uire%en(s *orked hand7and7

hand (o hel reci ien(s +ain res onsi0ili(!3 TA;F also +a1e s(a(es and coun(ies considera0le au(ono%! in i% le%en(in+ ro+ra%s 9Handler, 31.C:3 S(a(es *ere #ree (o crea(e an en(i(le%en(

(o assis(ance, or (o es(a0lish rules #or (he ro1ision o# assis(ance in (he a0sence o# an en(i(le%en( 9Handler 1.2:3 Wi(h (his ne* #reedo% (ha( s(a(es no* ossessed, ca%e a su0s(an(ial a%oun( o# 1aria(ion3 The s(a(es, in (urn, ha1e %ade hi+hl! di1erse and co% lex olic! choices re+ardin+ eli+i0ili(!, le1el o# 0ene#i(s, *ork re4uire%en(s, sanc(ions, dura(ions o# aid, and (ransi(ion (o sel#7 su or(C 9Handler 31.2:3 S(ill, (he idea o# ?*ork #irs(@ *as al*a!s do%inan(3 The 0ill also

included ro+ra%s (ha( *ould ro%o(e ?A%erican #a%il! 1alues@, *hich included %arria+e ro%o(ion, child su
,

or( en#orce%en(, and ro+ra%s (ha( discoura+ed (een re+nanc!3 Bu( (here

#athew -ellowes and .retchen Rowe find that states enacting strict eligibility re*uirements( more rigid work re*uirements( and less generous cash benefits have a higher proportion of /frican /merican recipients ( are ideologically less liberal( have a higher0income representational bias( and are dominated by Republican legislators 1$andler "2234

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*ere #e* ro+ra%s, i# an!, *hich ro%o(ed educa(ion, *hich 'lin(on 0elie1ed (o 0e a i1o(al (ool in order (o 0e sel# su##icien( A3 The Wel#are7(o7 Work ro+ra%, ano(her ro+ra% under P$W)$A, *as desi+ned (o hel +e( *el#are reci ien(s e% lo!ed, and e1en(uall! o## o# *el#are3 8urin+ 'lin(on"s address (o socie(! a0ou( (heir res onsi0ili(! (o %akin+ sure (hose *ho %us( *ork could, he challen+ed e% lo!ers (o hire *el#are reci ien(s3 A( one oin(, 'lin(on Wel#are7 (o7Work coali(ion +re* (o (*en(! (housand e% lo!ers and hired 131 %illion #or%er reci ien(s a( one oin( 9'arcasson 200/, 3/B/:3 A#(er (he i% le%en(a(ion o# (his ro+ra%, +e((in+ reci ien(s

e% lo!ed 0eca%e one o# (he ke! +oals3 So%e s(a(es chose (o ursue a +oal o# increasin+ *ork ar(ici a(ion, *hile o(hers chose (o *ork on reducin+ caseloads / 9Handler 200B:3 ,n(eres(in+l! enou+h, (he *el#are7(o7*ork a roach has +enerall! 0een 0ased on (he de%ons(ra(ion %odel a( $i1erside 'oun(!, 'ali#ornia3 $i1erside e% hasi6ed a s(ron+ e% lo!%en( %essa+e, inex ensi1e 5o0 search, and 4uick en(r! in(o (he la0or %arke( a+reea0le (o (he hiloso h! (ha( a lo*7 a!in+ en(r!7le1el 5o0 is 0e((er (han no 5o0 and could lead (o a 0e((er one 9Handler 1.B:3 'ase %ana+ers encoura+ed reci ien(s e1en *i(h li%i(ed educa(ion (o (r! (o +e( a 5o0 #irs( 9Handler:3 $i1erside 'oun(! also ado (ed ?5o0 clu0s@, *hich reci ien(s *ere assi+ned (o learn ho* (o re are

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resu%es, in(er1ie* e(i4ue((e, and ho* (o search #or a 5o0 9Handler 1.B:3 'ase %ana+ers also en+a+ed in 5o0 de1elo %en( *i(h reci ien(s3 S(ill, (he resul(s *ere %ar+inal3 The de0a(e re%ained a0ou( (he 0es( *a! (o increase earnin+s and reduce (he *el#are rolls3 ,n1es(in+ in hu%an ca i(al or +e((in+ reci ien(s direc(l! in(o (he la0or #orce, *as se((led *i(h (he resul(s o# (he ;a(ional -1alua(ion o# Wel#are7(o7Work S(ra(e+iesB 9Handler 1.B:3 -% lo!%en(7#ocused
5

-or a welfare recipient to become *ualified( a +ob must first exist( the individual must have the necessary education and skills to be *ualified for the +ob( the +ob must pay enough to foster self0sufficiency( and transportation( and the person would have to accept the +ob and actually go to work 1Carcasson "2264. 6 )hese choices reflected the dominant political culture of each state 1$andler "2234. 3 )he 6ational 7valuation of Welfare0to0Work %trategies included an evaluation of three sites in which recipients were randomly assigned to either an employment0focused approach or a basic education program showed that the employment0focused program had produced higher employment and earning rates and resulted in faster exit from welfare 1$andler pp.1894

Walker

ro+ra%s see%ed (o roduce (he resul(s (ha( coun(ies *ere lookin+ #or& 4uick resul(s (ha( *ere (he chea es( in (er%s o# +o1ern%en( s endin+3 Al(hou+h (here *as so%e reco+ni(ion (ha( (he 4uali(! o# educa(ion could ha1e an e##ec( on (he resul(s, li((le a((en(ion *as +i1en (o (his issue 9Handler 200B:3 The decision (o +o *i(h (he e% lo!%en(7#ocused s(ra(e+! ca (ures (he hiloso h! cen(ered on re#or% discourse, *hich holds dollars %ore i% or(an( (han a de+ree3 The +o1ern%en( is %ore concerned *i(h a lan (ha( is %ore #inanciall! con1enien(, ra(her (han s endin+ (he (i%e, e##or(, and %one! in(o ro+ra%s (ha( *ould sho* i%%ense +ro*(h in (he rolls o# e% lo!%en( and earnin+s o# reci ien(s3

16

Al(hou+h (he 0ill lacked %an! o# (he s endin+ ro osals #or u0lic 5o0s, childcare, and heal(h care (ha( 'lin(on ro%ised earlier in his ad%inis(ra(ion, (he 0ill s(ill see%s (o 0e a success (o so%e co%%en(a(ors3 Since (he i% le%en(a(ion o# (he ac(, la0or #orce ar(ici a(ion has

increased and *el#are rolls ha1e declined 9Dee 200.:3 The nu%0er o# children li1in+ in o1er(! chan+ed as *ellF3 ,n 1..., child o1er(! *as a( i(s lo*es( le1el o# 1.3/I or 1C %illion children, since (he +o1ern%en( 0e+an %easurin+ i( in 1.B.3 B! 2002, i( dro ed (o 1/I and has re%ained

s(ead! 9'arcasson /B/:3 P$W)$A allo*ed %o(hers *i(h less educa(ion (o *ork as %an! hours as %o(hers *i(h hi+her le1els o# educa(ion.3 Moreo1er, a #a%il! inco%e #or oor sin+le %o(hers increases, *hile (heir o1er(! ra(es decreased3 )1erall, (he re#or% *as 0elie1ed (o ha1e s urred (he crea(ion o# a s(ron+er na(ional co%%uni(! e##or( (o*ards hel in+ (he oor3 ,( is i% or(an( (ha( our unders(andin+ o# success" is no( #ixed, 0u( ra(her #luid3 The u0lic has 0een (oo #ocused on (he nu%0ers lea1in+ *el#are, and no( enou+h on *ha( is ha enin+ (o (he% once (he! do3 Man! *ho le#( are no( *orkin+, and %an! o# (hose (ha( are *orkin+ are in 5o0s
9

)he estimated 1.1 million children that were expected to be living in poverty if the bill was ever passed never materiali:ed. 8 /lthough $%0 mothers may work as many hours as $%& mothers( their pay was significantly different( which did not make a difference in terms of wages and earnings for $%0 mothers.

Walker

*i(h lo* *a+es and li((le ossi0ili(! #or u *ard %o0ili(! 9'arcasson 200/:3 ,# *e onl! (hink o# success in (er%s o# increased la0or %arke( ar(ici a(ion and decreased rolls o# *el#are,

re+ardless i# (hose *i(h 5o0s ha1e inco%es (ha( are inade4ua(e, (hen The Wel#are $e#or% o# 1../ has achie1ed i(s +oal3 Ho*e1er, #or %an! o# (hose *ho are *el#are reci ien(s see success %uch di##eren(l!, and , 0elie1e i( is (he ers ec(i1e o# (hose eo le (ha( ser1e as a %ore credi0le indica(or o# (he success o# (he re#or% o# 1../3 Ees, (he nu%0er o# reci ien(s recei1in+ *el#are 0ene#i(s did decrease< and !es, (he ercen(a+e o# la0or %arke( ar(ici a(ion a%on+s( #or%er *el#are reci ien( increased as *ell< 0u(, i# *e are (o acce ( and ackno*led+e (hese chan+es as our reali(ies, (hen *e %us( also ackno*led+e (he condi(ions under *hich (he! ha ened3 Al(hou+h (he *el#are caseloads decreased 0! nearl! C0I, %a5ori(! o# (hose *ho le#( *el#are, *ere (hose ho* had (he educa(ion, ex erience, and skills needed (o secure a 5o0 (ha( *ould ro1ide (he% *i(h an ade4ua(e inco%e3 For (hose *o%en *ho %a! no( ha1e had (he desired le1els o# educa(ion and *ere s(ill a0le (o lea1e *el#are, a si+ni#ican( ercen(a+e o# (ha(

16

o ula(ion re(urned (o *el#are shor(l! a#(er (heir exi( 0ecause (he 5o0s (he! held did no( ro1ide (he% *i(h (he inco%e needed (o 0eco%e sel#7su##icien(3 More ad1erse i% ac(s o# (he 1../ *el#are re#or% #or less educa(ed %o(hers indica(e (ha( #ederal re+ula(ions should riori(i6e

?educa(ion #irs(@ ra(her (han ?*ork #irs(@3 To %ake *el#are re#or% success#ul, *el#are eli+i0le %o(hers should learn co% e(i(i1e 5o0 skills 0e#ore (he! are re4uired (o *ork 9Dee 200.:3 Scholars oin( ou( (hree causes #or (he decline& (he ne* *el#are rules, a ro0us( econo%! (ha( roduced %illions o# 5o0s, and (he increased aid (o lo*7inco%e *orkers 9'arcasson /B/:3 There has 0een con(ro1ers! a0ou( 5us( ho* res onsi0le P$W)$A is in causin+ (hese chan+es3 Wel#are re#or% *as i% le%en(ed in (he %ids( o# exce (ional econo%ic and de%o+ra hic olic! chan+es3 ,( is (here#ore unclear (o *ha( ex(en( e% lo!%en( and inco%e +ains o# (he 1..0s a%on+

Walker

lo*7inco%e #a%ilies *i(h children can 0e a((ri0u(ed (o (he re#or% 9Murra! 200A,

3301:3 As #or

(he decreased enroll%en( in TA;F, all (he credi( canno( si% l! +o (o e% lo!%en(3 TA;F +a1e s(a(es (he o*er (o de(er%ine eli+i0ili(! #or *el#are ro+ra%s, *hich led (o %ore 0arriers (o recei1in+ 0ene#i(s3 Man! s(a(es re4uired *o%en a l!in+ #or aid (o coo era(e *i(h child7su or(

en#orce%en( a+en(s and iden(i#! (he #a(her3 ,n addi(ion, %os( s(a(es re4uire a lican(s (o si+n a ? ersonal res onsi0ili(!@ con(rac( (ha( se( a 1arie(! o# 0eha1ioral re4uire%en(3 Failure (o %ee( (hese re4uire%en(s can resul( in sanc(ion 9Handler 31.C:3 The nu%erous ad%inis(ra(i1e

0arriers, includin+ re4uire%en(s (o sho* e1idence o# 5o0 search, a(erni(! iden(i#ica(ion, and a((endin+ 5o0 orien(a(ion rior (o eli+i0ili(! de(er%ina(ion *ere hurdles *hich *ere in(ended (o se( (he cos( o# a l!in+ hi+h (o discoura+e en(r! in(o ro+ra%s 10 9Handler 323/:3 As a resul(,

16

case %ana+ers ushed reci ien(s (o *ork, and ro%o(ed 4uick en(r! in(o la0or %arke(s ins(ead o# hel in+ reci ien(s recei1e aid and ex lorin+ o(her o (ions such as educa(ion3 TA;F chan+ed (he d!na%ics o# *el#are and *el#are o##ice cul(ure3 The ne* or+ani6a(ional %!(h is (ha( *el#are de ar(%en(s are no lon+er in (he 0usiness o# de(er%inin+ eli+i0ili(! and ro1idin+ cash

assis(ance3 $a(her, (he! are e% lo!%en( a+encies, assis(in+ (he reci ien(s in(o (he la0or %arke( 9Handler 31.A:3 $eci ien(s *ere ushed ou( o# *el#are and in(o (he lo*7*a+e la0or %arke(

0ecause (he o ular 0elie# *as (ha( lo* *a+e la0or is 0e((er (han no( *orkin+ a( all and i( is (he s(e in+ s(one (o a 0e((er 5o03 )ne o# (he +rea( %!(hs a0ou( (he lo*7*a+e %arke( is (ha( i( is a s(e in+ s(one (o a 0e((er and %ore s(a0le 5o03 The reali(! is #ar %ore co% lex, and in #ac(, (he %a5ori(! o# (hose e% lo!ed in (he lo*7*a+e la0or %arke( re%ain (here, s(uck *i(h lo*7*a+e 5o0s, ha1e #e* i# an! 0ene#i(s and ex erience considera0le 5o0 ins(a0ili(! and insecuri(! 9Handler 323.:3
12

)/6- encourages states and counties to use sanctions as a means to achieve compliance because states that failed to achieve minimum rates of participation by recipients 1,2; for single0parent families and 82; for two0parent families4 were themselves sub+ect to penalty 1pp.18,4.

Walker

The Realities of Women on Welfare

Al(hou+h (he Wel#are $e#or% o# 1../ *as a success in (he e!es o# %an! co%%en(a(ors, (he *o%en *ho li1ed in o1er(! and *ho had a his(or! *i(h *el#are %a! ha1e ex erienced a di##eren( reali(!3 ,("s eas! #or (hose *ho %ake (he rules and olicies (o 1ie* (he% as success, 0u( (he (ru(h is, (he re#or% did no( hel e1er!one3 ,n (his sec(ion, , *ill ex lore (he reali(ies o# *el#are re#or% #or (hose *o%en !ou #ell shor( in 0ene#i(in+ #ro% (he 0ill3 , ar+ue (ha( no( all (i%e li%i(a(ions and *ork re4uire%en(s are a ro ria(e #or all #a%ilies3 There is a 1arie(! #or #ac(ors (ha( should 0e (aken in(o considera(ion3 Failure (o acce ( (he he(ero+enei(! a%on+s( reci ien(s onl! hinders (heir success, and %akes (he +oal o# 0eco%in+ sel#7su##icien( %ore dis(an(3 While *el#are rolls declined 0! nearl! C0I, i( *as ?5o0 read!@ indi1iduals *ho esca ed *el#are #irs(3 This reali6a(ion led (o le+isla(i1e a%end%en(s in 1..B allo*in+ s(a(es (o ro1ide educa(ion, (rainin+, and 5o07readiness ser1ices (o (he hardes(7(o7e% lo! +rou s, *hile re(ainin+ (he li#e (i%e li%i( and *ork #irs( s(i ula(ion o# *el#are #or (he% 9Baner5ee 3C12:3 ,n Jansas, (he

16

8e ar(%en( o# Hu%an Social $esources and (he 8e ar(%en( o# Social and $eha0ili(a(i1e Ser1ices colla0ora(ed (o #und a 5o0 readiness (rainin+ ro+ra% #or eo le *ho had %ul(i le 0arriers (o e% lo!%en(, *hich *as called Micro7-n(re reneurial Trainin+ 9M-T : 9Baner5ee 2003:3 The sa%e 0arriers (ha( *o%en ar(ici a(in+ in M-T #aced, correla(es *i(h (he sa%e di##icul(ies %a5ori(! o# *o%en *ho *ere (r!in+ (o en(er (he la0or %arke( #aced3 Jansas #ound (ha( caseloads o# cash assis(ance declined 0! C0I, 0u( 3AI o# (hose #a%ilies re(urned *i(hin / %on(hs3 Moreo1er, onl! 1/I le#( 0ecause o# hi+her earnin+s 9Baner5ee 200.:3 To 0e((er unders(and *h! exi(in+ *el#are is a reali(! #or onl! a 1er! #e*, #our *o%en *ere chosen #or a

Walker

lon+i(udinal sur1e! (o ro1ide insi+h( on 0arriers *o%en #ace (ha( re#or% %i+h( no( (ake in(o considera(ion3 Bane and -ll*ood iden(i#! (hree (heories (o ex lain eo les" *el#are useKexi( 0eha1ior& choice, ex ec(anc!, and class cul(ure 9Dee 200.:3 The choice (heor! s(a(es (ha( eo le e1alua(e (heir inco%e ca a0ili(! 0! exa%inin+ (heir educa(ion, *ork skills, and ex erience in (he %arke( econo%! 9 eo le choose (he o (ion (ha( a!s (he %os(3 -x ec(anc!, is (he *a! social and econo%ic ins(i(u(ions sha e users< %o(i1a(ion, sel#7es(ee%, con#idence, and sense o# con(rol o1er ou(co%es3 Peo le *i(h a +rea(er sense o# con#idence and con(rol are %ore likel! (o 0e %o(i1a(ed (o lea1e 9Baner5ee 3C1C:3 Das(l!, class7cul(ure (heor! e% hasi6es (he 1alue and cul(ure (ha(

exis( in cen(ers o# isola(ed L concen(ra(ed o1er(!< eo le #eelin+ ho eless a0ou( +he((o li#e %a! acce ( *el#are de endenc! as a *a! o# li#e 9Baner5ee 3 C1C:3 There *ere (*o %ain ro0le%s

16

(ha( arose in (he ro+ra%& so%e ar(ici an(s *ere *i(hdra*in+ #ro% (he ro+ra% and o(hers *as no( s(ar(in+ a %icro7en(er rise a#(er +radua(in+ #ro% (he ro+ra%3 'ri(ics %a! la0el (hose

reci ien(s as 0ein+ la6! or unin(eres(ed, 0u( (he! %a! #ail (on considered reci ien(s" circu%s(ances3 ;o( onl! are reci ien(s ex ec(ed (o co% le(e (he ro+ra%, 0u( (he! are ex ec(ed (o do i( *hile also holdin+ a #ull7(i%e 5o0< no( (o %en(ion (heir du(ies and o0li+a(ions as %o(hers3 , #ind olic! %akers (o 0e insensi0le (o reci ien(s" dou0le shi#(s as aren(s3 Baner5ee and se1en doc(oral s(uden(s in(er1ie*ed C2 M-T ar(ici an(s and chose #our (o resen( (he reali(ies o# (heir ex erience *i(h *el#are in (he %ids( o# re#or%3 The #our *o%en o##er insi+h( on 0arriers (ha( *o%en in *el#are #ace (ha( %a! kee (he% #ro% exi(in+3 These *o%en %a! also ro1ide %e(hods (ha( can 0e use#ul (o hel esca e *el#are3 Debra: 8e0ra is a 3C !ears old A#rican A%erica, *ho is di1orced *i(h (hree children a+ed A (o 1/3 She has (*o !ears o# colle+e, and has had "A0 %illion" 5o0s *hich include& %achine

Walker

o era(or, leasin+ a+en(, s(ore clerk, %aid, *ai(ress, de0( collec(or, and case %ana+er3 8e0ra *as #orced (o lea1e her *ell7 a!in+ 5o0 as a %achine o era(or due (o #i0ro%!al+ia3 Her case %ana+er u( her on AF8' and #ood s(a% s ins(ead o# disa0ili(!3 8e0ra"s %o(her *as no( educa(ed a( all" nor *as she e%o(ionall! a1aila0le"3 8e0ra +re* u on *el#are and had her #irs( child a( 1F3 She re+re(s %akin+ con(inued *ron+ choices" a0ou( %en and ha1in+ (*o %ore children3 ,( *as (he s iri(ual rela(ionshi , had *i(h Mod (ha( +o( %e u "3 8iscussin+ *el#are 0e#ore and a#(er re#or%, 8e0ra sa!s& Wha( has hur( %e (he %os( is *hen ,"1e *orked hard, and , ha1e no( 0een a0le (o #eed %! kids, and (he! (ell %e , %ake (oo %uch3 3 3 3 And , *a(ch a *o%an, *ho has done no(hin+, all da!, e1er! da!, and she"s +o( a 0aske(#ul o# #ood, and , +o( rice3 3 3 3 ,"% a!in+ all (his %one! ou( on da!care3 Sin+le %o%s could ha1e chosen (o a0andon (he kids, and (hen (he s(a(e *ould ha1e (o look a#(er (he kids3 3 3 N(he s(a(eO don"( %ake an! a((e% ( (o #ind daddies3 3 3The re#or% is reall! direc(ed %ore a( *o%en, (han (he kid"s #a(her (ha("s ou( o# (he house, ain"( doin+ no(hin+3 And usuall!, (he one *ho su##ers is (he %o(her3"9Baner5ee C1.: Accordin+ (o 8e0ra, (he *ors( as ec( o# *el#are re#or% is (he s(ereo(! es o# *ha( *el#are %o(hers should do *hich +e( in (he *a! and discoura+e (he%3 Pomona: Po%ona is C27!ears7old *i(h ei+h( children3 She did no( #inish hi+h school and had her #irs( 5o0 a( 1/ a( a Mc8onald"s3 She has also 0een a 5ani(orial (e% , a housekee er, and a nurses" aide3 Po%ona could no( kee her 5o0s 0ecause o# (he eo le"3 Po%ona ad%i(s (o 0ein+ a#raid o# *el#are re#or% 0ecause she hadn"( *orked in !ears3 Pre+nan( a( 1F, she +o( on *el#are and dre* on her s(e #a(her"s social securi(! 0ene#i(s3 -1en(uall! she *as 3C1B7

16

Walker

su

or(ed 0! %en *ho deal( dru+s3 Po%ona +re* u

oor, and she did no( kno* her

#a(her3 She is e%0arrassed 0ecause she is (he onl! %e%0er in her #a%il! on *el#are3 Po%ona clai%s (ha( (he *el#are checks are no( enou+h (o (ake care o# her children3 ,("s no( enou+h %one! co%in+ in(o (he ho%e, and (he kids are reall! +e((in+ #rus(ra(ed 0ecause o# (he (hin+s (ha( (he! *an(3 The! +e( ou( and sell dru+s"3 Po%ona"s 21 !ear old dau+h(er has no( co% le(ed hi+h school, has a 0a0! dau+h(er, and li1es a( ho%e3 Po%ona #ears her dau+h(er *ill 0e ano(her %e"3 , *as so #ear#ul o# #acin+ (he *orld on %! o*n3 3 3 %! su07conscious %ind (ellin+ %!sel#, collec( (he *el#are (ha( *a! !ou don"( ha1e (o *ork3 3 3 and #ace (hese eo le3 Peo le %ake %e ner1ous" 9Baner5ee 3C1.7C21:

16

While a((endin+ (he M-T ro+ra%, Po%ona a((e% (ed suicide3 She did no( s(ar( her 0usiness, nei(her did she *ork3 Mi1en her lack o# 5o0 skills, s arse *ork his(or! and heal(h issues, Baner5ee *orked *i(h (he *el#are o##ice, *hich (e% oraril! classi#ied her as exe% (" #ro% *ork #irs("9Baner5ee Jackie: Packie is 32 !ears old *i(h (hree children a+ed #ro% 1. %on(hs (o 13 !ears3 She has an Associa(e"s de+ree and ar(ial re4uire%en(s #or a Bachelor"s de+ree3 She had her #irs( 5o0 a( 133 Her 5o0s *ere ei(her uns(a0le or had (o 0e +i1en u 0ecause o# her children"s heal(h issues3 She *orks ar( (i%e on su0sidi6ed e% lo!%en( a( a ci(! +o1ern%en( o##ice3 Packie does no( kno* her #a(her, and she +re* u on *el#are *hile her %o(her *orked as a nann!3 She has 0een on *el#are, on and o## #or 13 !ears3 Dike 8e0ra, Packie 0elie1ed her li#e"s di##icul(ies are (ied (o (he 0ad choices *i(h %en3 Also si%ilar (o 8e0ra, Packie sa!s (ha( i# (he #a(her"s had su or(ed her children, she *ould ha1e ne1er 0een on *el#are as 3C21:3

Walker

lon+ as she *as3 Packie"s *el#are (i%e clock s(o 1iolence3 9Baner5ee Danielle: 8anielle, (he !oun+es( 3C217C23:

ed (ickin+ on (he +rounds o# do%es(ic

ar(ici an(, is 2B !ears old and di1orced *i( (hree children3

8anielle *en( on u0lic assis(ance #or (he second (i%e due (o child0ir(h, *hich caused co% lica(ions and re1en(ed her #ro% *orkin+3 8anielle has a M-8 and an Associa(e"s de+ree3 8anielle co%%en(s on (he ros and cons o# *el#are3 She is ri%aril! u se( *i(h case %ana+ers3 ;o* (he social *orkers are di##eren(3 3 3 (he!"re %akin+ lo(s o# %is(akesQ (he! ac( su erior"3 8anielle *as e1en(uall! a0le (o +e( o## u0lic assis(ance3 9Baner5ee 3C237C2A:3

16

There is %uch (ha( can 0e learned #ro% (he ex eriences o# (hese #our *o%en3 Al(hou+h (his s(ud! *as conduc(ed *i(h a s%all +rou , (hese *o%en are a #air re resen(a(ion o# a lar+er o ula(ion3 There#ore, (heir 0arriers, 4ues(ions, and concerns %a! echo (hose o# (he o(her *o%en li1in+ in (he shado*s o# *el#are3 )ne concern (ha( arose, is (he *or(h o# *orkin+3 8e0ra ex ressed her #rus(ra(ion *i(h (he lack o# su or( #ro% (he +o1ern%en(, al(hou+h she %ade an

e##or( (o *ork3 This e1oked (he 4ues(ion& ,s *orkin+ *or(h i(> Ho* can case %ana+ers ex ec( *o%en (o *ork in lo*7*a+e la0or *hen (here are no incen(i1es (o kee (he% %o(i1a(ed (o *ork> So%e *o%en *ho aren"( *orkin+ are a0le (o #eed (heir children, *hile *o%en ho* %ake an e##or( %a! s(ru++le3 When eo le %ake (he e##or(" (o seek and %ain(ain a 5o0, or (o s(ar( a %icro7en(er rise, addi(ional ser1ice such as cash assis(ance, childcare, (rans or(a(ion, and heal(h care need (o 0e con(inuousl! a1aila0le un(il (he! a((ain so%e econo%ic s(a0ili(!3 When so%e are a aren(l! no( %akin+ (he e##or(" (o 0eco%e econo%icall! sel#7relian(, heal(h care ser1ices as *ell as s!cho(hera ! +eared (o*ard resol1in+ con#lic(s, 0uildin+ sel#7es(ee%, and sel#7

Walker

e% o*er%en( %us( 0e a1aila0le 9Baner5ee

3C31:3 There also see%s (o 0e a concern a0ou(

+o1ern%en(al e##or(s3 Packie #eels olic! %akers and case %ana+ers aren"( as concerned as (he! should 0e3 Social *orkers need (o re%ind olic! %akers (ha( eo le do no( choose (o 0e on *el#are 0ecause (he! are la6! and li#e is easier *hen (he! are no( *orkin+< eo le rel! on *el#are 0ecause o# li#e"s circu%s(ances (ha( are a resul( o# (he erson7in7s!s(e% con#i+ura(ion 9Baner5ee 3C31:3She also oin(s ou( (ha( *o%en are (he #ocus o# *el#are re#or% and are (he

ones %ade (o su##er3 Wo%en are 0ein+ enali6ed 0! a a(riarchal oli(ical s!s(e% (ha( i% oses harsh rules and re+ula(ions on (heir 0eha1ior, ra(her (han en#orcin+ child su or( la*s on

a0sen(ee #a(hers3 Bo(her Packie and 8e0ra 0elie1e (ha( i# (heir children"s" #a(hers *ere %ore su or(i1e, (he! *ould no( ha1e had (o (urn (o *el#are 9Baner5ee 2003:3 )n (he o(her hand,

16

8anielle and 8e0ra *ere a0le (o lea1e *el#are 0ecause (he! u +raded (heir educa(ion and skills, and ha1e 1ar!in+ de+rees o# *ork ex erience (ha( %akes (he% 0elie1e in (heir earnin+ ca a0ili(!3 Social *ork rac(i(ioners and s(uden(s %us( #ull! lis(en (o and learn a0ou( (he reali(ies o# *el#are and *el#are re#or% #ro% (he ex eriences o# *o%en o# color so (ha( (he! can (ake (he necessar! s(e s and a( leas( one ex(ra s(e (o hel such *o%en and (heir #a%ilies li1e a di+ni#ied li#e o# (heir choice 9Baner5ee Does Race atter! 3C31:

8es i(e (hose *ho sa! o(her*ise, (he ex eriences in *el#are 1ar! de endin+ on race3 $esearch has #ound (ha( (he direc( i% ac( o# racial 1aria0les is +rea(er (han (ha( #or an! o(her class o# 1aria0les *hen i( co%es (o cash assis(ance ro+ra%s o# *el#are 9Brock 200.:3 $ace is #ound (o 0e (he leadin+ #ac(or in *el#are olic! ado (ion3 The +rea(er (he co% osi(ion o# A#rican A%ericans in (he s(a(e"s o ula(ion, (he %ore likel! i( is (o ado ( a harsh li%i( olic! 9Brock 3

./A:3 The #ac( (ha( A#rican A%erican *o%en %ake u %a5ori(! o# (he rolls o# *el#are, can o##er

Walker

insi+h( as (o *h! so%e olicies are s(ric(er (han o(hers3 As re1iousl! s(a(ed, A%ericans are no( o osed (o o##erin+ su or( (o (he oor, 0u( (he! are unsu or(i1e o# *el#are3 The #ac( (ha( Black

*o%en are (he #ace o# *el#are can discoura+e su

or( #or *el#are 0ecause o# (he ne+a(i1e i%a+e

a((ri0u(ed (o *el#are 4ueens"3 ,n (he %a5ori(!"s collec(i1e s!che, *el#are 4ueens are Black *o%en *ho are seen as la6!, don"( *an( (o *ork, and ha1e children ou( o# *edlock (o increase (heir cash 0ene#i(s3 ,( is (his racial s(ereo(! in+ (ha( sha es *el#are olic! and causes (he u0lic no( (o su or( *el#are in +eneral3 9Brock 200.:3 ,n a cross7(a0ula(ion s(ud!, (hose s(a(es *i(h (he

%os( lenien( olicies are (hose *i(h (he lesser ercen(a+e o# A#rican A%ericans in (heir (o(al o ula(ions3 )# (he se1en s(a(es (ha( ha1e a o ula(ion o# A#rican A%ericans exceedin+ 20I, all 0u( one ha1e olices ca(e+ori6ed& harsh, 1er! harsh, or %os( harsh 9Brock 3.//: The +rea(er

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(he ercen(a+e o# 0lacks, (he %ore likel! (he s(a(e is (o ado ( harsh (i%e li%i( olicies3 These racis( 1ie*s o# *el#are %us( chan+e i# *e are (o %ake an! ro+ress3 There#ore, s(a(es should no( ha1e (he o (ion o# cus(o%i6in+ (i%e li%i(s 9Brock 200.:3

Does Welfare Value "ducation! The 1../ Wel#are $e#or% lack o or(uni(ies in educa(ion, des i(e 'lin(on"s s(a(e%en(

(ha( educa(ion is a necessi(! in order (o secure 4uali#ied 5o0s in a New York Times edi(orial3 , ar+ue (ha( educa(ion ra(her (han lo*7*a+e *ork is (he ke! (o sel# su##icienc! and %o0ili(!3 Ho*e1er, a#(er (he 0ill *as assed, %an! s(a(es reduced (heir su or( o# os(secondar! educa(ion

and ins(ead e% hasi6ed *ork7#irs( ro+ra%s3 As a resul(, %an! econo%icall! oor *o%en *ere dissuaded #ro% ursuin+ os(secondar! de+rees (ha( had (he o(en(ial o# increasin+ (heir

chances o# achie1in+ #inancial sel#7su##icienc! 9Pearson 200B:3

Walker

To unders(and (he lo+ic o# *el#are de ar(%en( cul(ure, !ou %us( #irs( ask !oursel# a 1er! si% le 4ues(ion< *h!> Wh! is *ork ro%o(ed al(hou+h %an! s(a(e o##icials ackno*led+e (he i% or(ance o# %ain(ainin+ *el#are ar(ici an(s" access (o hi+her educa(ion as a %eans o# achie1in+ sel#7su##icienc!> 9Pearson 3B2C: There are se1eral #ac(ors (ha( *ork (o+e(her in

crea(in+ a discoura+in+ a(%os here #or educa(ion3 Firs(, (he ac(ions o# case %ana+ers and (he cul(ure o# *el#are o##ice sha e TA;F7eli+i0le s(uden(s" erce (ions o# (heir educa(ional o (ions 9Pearson 200B:3 'ase %ana+ers are ressured (o increase *ork ar(ici a(ion 0ecause (heir

#undin+ de ends on i(3 'ase %ana+ers are also ressured in(o con1incin+ reci ien(s (ha( an! 5o0 is 0e((er (han no 5o0, e1en i# (ha( 5o0 does no( ro1ide an ade4ua(e *a+e 9Pearson 3B3A:3 'ase

16

%ana+ers ha1e 0eco%e #ar (oo concerned *i(h (he nu%0ers and less concerned a0ou( (he eo le3 The ar(ici a(ion ra(es ro%o(e an in(ense #ocus on (he nu%0ers (ha( #re4uen(l! dis(rac( case %ana+ers #ro% addressin+ indi1iduals" ac(ual needs3 )ne case %ana+er in Meor+ia s(a(es& ?Because e1er!0od! is real orien(ed (o (he nu%0ers ri+h( no*, (he!"re losin+ si+h( o# (he erson, so %uch3 Eou kno*, i("s all a0ou( (he nu%0ers 0ecause (he!"re +e((in+ 0i+ ressure #ro% (he s(a(es"3 As a resul( o# ro%o(in+ nu%0ers, case *orkers #ind (he%sel1es askin+ clien(s (o in1ol1e (he%sel1es in ac(i1i(ies (ha( %i+h( or %i+h( no( 0e rele1an( (o (heir ca a0ili(ies 9Pearson ar(icular si(ua(ion or

3BC07BC1:3 Second, ne* #ederal res(ric(ions are likel! (o disad1an(a+e or(

*el#are ar(ici an(s3 $ecen( chan+es (o TA;F olic! o1er(l! re1eal a reluc(ance (o su

os(secondar! educa(ion3 TA;F2s reau(hori6a(ion in Pune 200/ li%i(ed (he nu%0er o# hours and (! e o# colle+e educa(ion (ha( can 0e ursued 0! ro+ra% ar(ici an(s, *hich s(eered ar(ici an(s a*a! #ro% 0achelor de+rees3 9Pearson 200B:3 Third, as Sharon Ha!s, a ro#essor o# Sociolo+! a( (he =ni1ersi(! o# Sou(hern 'ali#ornia ar+ues& (he rules, #or%s, *ai(in+ roo%s, and case %ana+erKclien( in(erac(ions ul(i%a(el! crea(e a *el#are o##ice en1iron%en( in#used *i(h

Walker

a(ernalis(ic i% ersonali(! 9Pearson B2F:3 The cul(ure o# *el#are in (he o##ices in Meor+ia has discoura+ed s(uden(s #ro% ursuin+ school (hrou+h (he use o# si+ns, lan+ua+e, and ersonal 0elie#s3 Slo+ans (ha( read& ?Di#e *orks i# !ou *ork@ and ?Work %eans %ore (han %one!@ er e(ua(e (he idea (ha( *ork is %ore i% or(an( and leads (o 0e((er resul(s3 The idea o# a((endin+ colle+e as an acce (a0le %eans o# a((ainin+ sel#7su##icienc! is 1ir(uall! a0sen(< no*here are (here si+ns ro%o(in+ a colle+e educa(ion3 So%e %a! ar+ue ?ho* can !ou ro%o(e secondar!

educa(ion *hen %an! reci ien(s ha1e no( e1en co% le(ed hi+h school>@3 The reali(! is, reci ien(s *ish (o #ur(her *ork on (heir educa(ional +oals, 0u( (he! are con(inuousl! discoura+ed3 Those reci ien(s *ho ha1e no( co% le(ed hi+h school *ish (o +o 0ack and %o1e on (o secondar! educa(ion, 0u( once a+ain, case %ana+ers and TA;F re+ula(ions %ake i( nearl! i% ossi0le #or s(uden(s (o %ake educa(ion a ossi0ili(!3 Das(l!, reci ien(s are discoura+ed #ro% ursuin+ school 0ecause o# (he ersonal o inions and 0elie#s o# case %ana+ers (ha( (h*ar( an! chances o# en(r!3 $eac(in+ solel! on ersonal 0elie#, case %ana+ers #ind (ha( %os( reci ien(s *on"( 0e in(eres(ed in +oin+ (o school, so (he! #ail (o %en(ion i( as an o (ion a( all3 'ase %ana+ers %a! also 0e reluc(an( (o hel reci ien(s *i(h (heir educa(ion +oals 0ecause (he! 0ecause 5ealous o# reci ien(s3 Wel#are case %ana+ers are no( ade4ua(el! co% ensa(ed #or (he dail! e%o(ion *ork (he! er#or%, nor are (he! *ell co% ensa(ed #or (heir assi+ned du(ies 9Pearson 3B3.:3 As a resul(, case

16

%ana+ers %a! 0eco%e en1ious o# reci ien(s *ho recei1e cash aid and *ho %a! o(en(iall! o0(ain %ore educa(ion3 )ne case %ana+er shares& ?,"1e %e( so%e case *orkers (ha( are ac(uall! 5ealous o# (he% and don"( exac(l! a ro1e o# i( 0ecause, in so%e cases, (he eo le (ha( (he! re#er (ha( are +oin+ (hrou+h (he s!s(e% ac(uall! co%e ou( in a 0e((er osi(ion (han (he case *orkers3 Eou kno* so (he! #eel, Wh! should (he! ha1e all (his su or(, and , don"( ha1e i(> ,"% *orkin+ #or a li1in+ and

Walker

s(u##"3 The! don"( see *h! i("s necessar! #or !ou as a reci ien( (o +o and s end (he (ax a!ers" dollars (o +o o0(ain a hi+her educa(ion (han (he! ha1e@@ 9Pearson 3B3.:3

For %an! case %ana+ers, educa(ion 0eco%es a luxur! #or (hose *ho can a##ord i(, no( necessi(! #or sel#7su##icienc!3 Conclusions # Recommendations 8id (he Wel#are $e#or% o# 1../ chan+e our erce (ions o# *el#are> As %uch as , *ould lo1e (o ad%i( i( did, , 0elie1e socie(!"s erce (ions o# *el#are and *el#are reci ien(s ha1e 0eco%e dee l! e%0edded in(o A%erican cul(ure as a ne+a(i1e heno%enon < ho*e1er, , do 0elie1e indi1iduals are s(ar(in+ (o chan+e (heir 1ie*s on *ha( i( (akes (o +e( ou( o# *el#are3 ,( has 0een s(a(is(icall! 1eri#ied (ha( educa(ion in (he sures( (icke( (o econo%ic sel#7su##icienc!, 0u( !e( *el#are olicies con(inue (o ush reci ien(s a*a! #ro% (his reali6a(ion and (o*ards (he idea o# *orkin+, e1en i# i("s a lo*7*a+e 5o03 There can 0e %illions o# #in+ers (ha( can 0e oin(ed a( eo le and in(ui(ions (o 0la%e, 0u( , (hink chan+e *i(hin social *orker *ould render considera0le resul(s3 'ase %ana+ers ha1e a considera0le a%oun( o# o*er and con(rol o1er 0o(h TA;F olices and reci ien(s3 Social *orkers need (o re%ind olic! %akers (ha( eo le don"( choose (o 0e on *el#are 0ecause (he! are la6! and li#e is easier *hen no( *orkin+< eo le rel! on *el#are 0ecause o# li#e"s circu%s(ances (ha( are a resul( o# (he erson7in7s!s(e% con#i+ura(ion3 The! also need (o con(inue (o ad1oca(e #or cancelin+ li#e (i%e li%i(s and *ork #irs( #or so%e eo le3 Wel#are re#or% %us( acco%%oda(e eo le *i(h lo* skill, educa(ion, and *ork

16

ex erience, and oor heal(h3 Wel#are assis(ance %us( 0e len+(hened #or so%e eo le and re(ained #or o(hers *ho need i( #or 1aried li#e circu%s(ances3 Al(hou+h educa(ion %a! no( 0e (he solu(ion #or e1er!one, , 0elie1e i( renders resul(s (ha( are %ore in line *i(h (he +oals o# re#or% *hich are

Walker

(o 0eco%e sel#7su##icien(, econo%icall! s(a0le, and *ork< and (he 0es( *a! (o achie1e (his +oal is (o con(inue (o ad1oca(e #or %ore educa(ion o or(uni(ies *i(hin *el#are3

$%%endi& '( Ta)le for section *The Realities of Women in Welfare+

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Walker

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,( Ta)le for section *Pre-Welfare Culture

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