Blame Welfare, Ignore Poverty and InequalityWith the passage of the 1996 welfare reform, not only welfare, but poverty and inequality have disappeared from the political discourse. The decline in the welfare rolls has been hailed as a success. This book challenges that assumption. It argues that while many single mothers left welfare, they have joined the working poor, and fail to make a decent living. The book examines the persistent demonization of poor single-mother families; the impact of the low-wage market on perpetuating poverty and inequality; and the role of the welfare bureaucracy in defining deserving and undeserving poor. It argues that the emphasis on family values - marriage promotion, sex education and abstinence - is misguided and diverts attention from the economic hardships low-income families face. The book proposes an alternative approach to reducing poverty and inequality that centers on a children's allowance as basic income support coupled with jobs and universal child care. |
Other editions - View all
Blame Welfare, Ignore Poverty and Inequality Joel F. Handler,Yeheskel Hasenfeld No preview available - 2006 |
Blame Welfare, Ignore Poverty and Inequality Joel F. Handler,Yeheskel Hasenfeld No preview available - 2006 |
Blame Welfare, Ignore Poverty and Inequality Joel F. Handler,Yeheskel Hasenfeld No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
According activities addition administration adults African American agencies applicants assistance average basic beneļ¬ts birth Center changes child child care clients compared considerable costs declined Department dependency disabled discussed early earnings economic effect EITC eligibility employers employment especially experience families fathers federal food stamps funds grant half higher households housing Ibid important improve income increase individual Institute labor market lack least less limited living low-income low-wage major managers marriage million months mothers needs parents participation payments percent period plans Policy poor poverty poverty line Press problems programs receive recipients reduce reform remained requirements Research responsibility result risk sanctions Security single mothers Social TANF teen third United University wage Washington welfare welfare recipients women workers York