quick fix philosophy of welfare reform: cost concerns versus the importance of education

8/13/2019 Quick Fix Philosophy of Welfare Reform: Cost Concerns Versus the Importance of Education

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Walker

Brandon Walker

March 23, 2012

HASS 102

The ‘Quick Fix Philosoh!" 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+ ! 'lin(on and

'on+ress in e##or(s (o rea% (he *el#are s!s(e% and (he ulics erce(ion o# *el#are

reciien(s This re#or% inoled (i%e li%i(s and *ork re4uire%en(s in order #or reciien(s (o

receie ene#i(s The +oal o# (he re#or%, *hich *as (o +e( *el#are reciien(s ar(icia(in+ in (he

*ork#orce, in %! oinion, lacked cri(ical co%onen(s such as +uaran(eein+ 5o oor(uni(ies

e#ore (he re4uire%en(s *ere se( in lace, suor(in+ (hose (ransi(ionin+ ou( o# *el#are, and

ro%o(in+ (he i%or(ance o# educa(ion also e%hasi6e (he role (ha( case %ana+ers and *el#are

o##ice cul(ure la!ed in shain+ reciien(s" erce(ions o# (he alue and i%or(ance o# educa(ion

As a resul(, ro%o(in+ Wel#are7(o7Work ro+ra%s and u((in+ *ork #irs( ersus educa(ion #irs(,

caused di##icul(ies #or (hose (r!in+ (o +e( o## o# *el#are, eseciall! (hose reciien(s *ho *ere

*o%en o# color, ecause (he! *ere li%i(ed in (heir *ork oor(uni(ies ecause o# (heir

educa(ion n (he #irs( sec(ion, roide a residen(ial ersec(ie on *el#are and ho* 'lin(on

chose *el#are re#or% durin+ (he 1..2 ca%ai+n ecause i( andered (o (he elie#s o# his %os(

i%or(an( (ar+e( audience& *hi(e %iddle7class o(ers *ho had aandoned (he 8e%ocra(ic Par(!

9'arcasson 200/: also de%ons(ra(e ho* (he ill lacked *ork oor(uni(ies, !e( included (he

harsh (i%e li%i(s and *ork re4uire%en(s The second sec(ion exlores (he reali(ies o# *el#are

e#ore re#or%, #ollo*ed ! an ex(ensie look a( (he chan+es re#or% crea(ed ;ex(, anal!6e (he

arriers (ha( hinder (he success o# *el#are %o(hers such as& educa(ion, nu%er o# deenden(s,



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and racial iden(i(!< all o# *hich crea(ed considerale aria(ion in success, u( *el#are ro+ra%s

#ail (o ackno*led+e (hese charac(eris(ics =nders(andin+ (he reali(ies o# *el#are and re#or% #ro%

(he ersec(ies o# *o%en o# color *ho ar(icia(ed in (he M-T Pro+ra% *hile #acin+ *el#are

re#or%, can roide so%e insi+h( Finall!, resen( (he i%or(ance o# educa(ion in order (o

achiee sel#7reliance and u*ard econo%ic %oili(!, and ho* case *orkers *ork a+ains( (hose

*ishin+ (o ursue educa(ion as a (ool (o reach (heir +oals

Framework for a Virtuous Reform

;e+a(ie social oinions and erce(ions (o*ards (he *el#are s!s(e% and reciien(s hae

+ien rise (o hos(ile oli(ical ie*s, and di% isions #or (he #u(ure o# *el#are The collec(ie

#eelin+s o# conde%na(ion crea(ed an a(%oshere (ha( reeked o# disaroal and lon+ed #or

chan+e n 1..2, Bill 'lin(on addressed (he issue o# *el#are (o #uel suor( #or his residen(ial

ca%ai+n Al(hou+h re#or% *i(hin (he *el#are s!s(e% *as necessar!, a ri%ar! %o(ie ehind

'lin(on"s lan *as (o +ain suor( #ro% (hose *ho desised *el#are (he %os(< %iddle class and

suuran o(ers # elec(ed, he ro%ised (o end *el#are 9'arcasson, 200/: n (his sec(ion *ill

exa%ine 'lin(on"s s(ra(e+ic aroach (o *el#are, and his a((e%( (o al(er socie(!"s sche%as o# (he

*el#are s!s(e% and reciien(s *ill #ur(her discuss con(roersies and dea(es (ha( arose durin+

(he #or%a(ion o# ill, and o*er s(ru++les e(*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 enisioned

'lin(on sa* an oor(uni(! (o no( onl! (ackle an issue (ha( #or decades had no( een

addresses, u( (o also +ain o(ers" suor( 'lin(on also reali6ed (ha( socie(! had eco%e

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

*el#are> Wel#are had een cri(ici6ed #or %akin+ reciien(s la6! and deenden( on (he



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+oern%en( Those *ho receied *el#are *ere elieed (o e indiiduals *ho *ere (oo la6! (o

#ind *ork< also kno*n as (he undeserin+ oor The non7oor a((riu(e oer(! (o indiidualis(ic

causes and (hus had a s(ron+ ne+a(ie ie* o# *el#are reciien(s The oor are charac(eri6ed as&

dishones(, deenden(, la6!, unin(eres(ed in educa(ion, and ro%iscuous 9'arcasson, 200/:n (he

sec(ions (ha( #ollo*, *ill address and exlore (hese erce(ions o# *el#are reciien(s and (he

har%#ul reercussions (he! crea(ed

Because (here *as such an(ia(h! (o*ards *el#are, 'lin(on had (o #ra%e *el#are in a *a!

(ha( *ould +ain o(ers" suor(, u( also ro(ec( reciien(s #ro% ein+ slandered ! socie(!

A%ericans *ere *illin+ (o hel (he *orkin+ oor, u( no( *el#are reciien(s, al(hou+h (he! *ere

one in (he sa%e 'lin(on"s role% *i(h *el#are *as& i( *as a roken s!s(e% 9'arcasson, 200/:

n conse4uence, 'lin(on s(ra(e+icall! a((acked (he *el#are s!s(e%, ar(iall! de#ended *el#are

reciien(s, and ar+ued #or a co%ina(ion o# re4uirin+ %ore *ork and resonsiili(! and roidin+

%ore oor(uni(ies as (he solu(ion 9'arcasson, 200/:< hence, (he conce(ion o# (he Personal

$esonsiili(! and Work )or(uni(! $econcilia(ion Ac( %a(eriali6ed The Personal

$esonsiili(! and Work )or(uni(! $econcilia(ion Ac( relaced Aid (o Fa%ilies *i(h

8eenden( 'hildren 9AF8': *i(h Te%orar! Assis(ance #or ;eed! Fa%ilies 9TA;F: The ill

*as laeled ?a cruel %ons(rosi(!@ and ?le+isla(ie child ause@ 9'arcasson 200/, //: ( *as

desi+ned (o sae illion in #ederal exendi(ures, and es(i%a(ed (o u( 11 %illion %ore

children in oer(! 9//: 'lin(on had a hoe#ul ision #or (he #u(ure o# *el#are Ho*eer,

'lin(on"s ision #or *el#are had exceeded a realis(ic ud+e( Moreoer, (he #ac( (ha( (he

$eulicans had (aken oer 'on+ress onl! co%lica(ed %a((ers Hain+ 'on+ress and 'lin(on

co%e (o an a+ree%en( *as no( eas! ( *as a cons(an( s(ru++le #or co%ro%ise 'on+ress dra#(ed

(*o ills, *hich 'lin(on o(h e(oed ecause (he! suor(ed *ork, u( no( #a%il! 9/.: 'lin(on



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*orked (o es(alish (he idea (ha( *el#are reciien(s *an(ed (o *ork, u( could onl! do so i#

roided *i(h oor(uni(ies and i# ke! arriers such as (he lack o# heal(h care and childcare *ere

re%oed 9//2: 'lin(on shi#(ed (he la%e #ro% reciien(s (o (he s!s(e% o# *el#are He ar+ued

(ha( *el#are is (o la%e, no( reciien(s< (he! are %erel! ic(i%s o# a s!s(e% (ha( (ras (he%

Accordin+ (o 'lin(on, (he onl! *a! (o al(er an(i7*el#are cul(ure and hel (he *orkin+ oor, are (o

roide (he% *i(h (he oor(uni(ies needed (o +e( (he% ar(icia(in+ in (he laor %arke( and

ins(ill resonsiili(! $eulicans ar+ued (ha( (he oor(uni(ies alread! exis(ed, and (he

in+redien( %issin+ *as resonsiili(! )n (he o(her hand, 8e%ocra(s ar+ued (ha( oor(uni(ies

*ere lackin+ and #ocusin+ on indiidual"s resonsiili(! *as an un#air a((ack on (he

disadan(a+ed 9//: ;eer(heless, 'lin(on endorsed o(h co%onen(s As rie#l! discussed

reiousl!, #inali6in+ a ill *as a cons(an( s(ru++le ecause o# (he o*er held ! (*o ar(ies

*i(h oosin+ ideolo+ies 'lin(on a+reed (o (he (hird reision o# (he ill, *hich had less cu(s (o

heal(hcare 9//0: The ke! olic! asec(s o# (he resonsiili(! side #ocused on (he *ork

re4uire%en(s and (i%e li%i(s #or *el#are, *hich *ere ri%aril! crea(ed ! (he $eulican

do%ina(ed 'on+ress The re4uire%en(s and (i%e li%i(s *ere unders(ood as (he co%%on +round

e(*een 'on+ress and 'lin(on ecause he *as co%#or(ale *i(h re4uirin+ eole (o *ork

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

P$W)$A Ho*eer, *ha( %an! #ail (o reali6e is (ha( 'lin(on had enisioned a di##eren(

direc(ion #or *el#are (han (he one (ha( *as i%le%en(ed1 His ori+inal lan did no( include (he

(i%e li%i(s ( included increased sendin+ #or childcare, child suor(, heal(hcare, (ransor(a(ion,

1Clinton’s inability to remove welfare reform from the agenda or to significantly alter the specificsof 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 keepthe office away from Republican hands.



Walker

housin+, 5o (rainin+, %ini%u% *a+e, and -T' ( also included a +uaran(eed di+ni#ied and

%eanin+#ul co%%uni(! 5o, a##ordale 4uali(! heal(hcare, and *orkin+ *a+es 9//:< all o#

*hich *ere no( included in (he 1../ ill he si+ned )ne reason (hese ene#i(s neer %a(eriali6ed

is ecause i( *ould hae %ean( %ore o# (axa!ers" dollars< dollars (he! *eren"( *illin+ (o send

on ene#i(s #or *el#are reciien(s

'lin(on con(inuousl! *orked (o +e( o(ers (o suor( *el#are reciien(s as *ell as %akin+

*ork look a((rac(ie 'lin(on elieed (ha( #or a *el#are reciien( (o eco%e sel#7su##icien(, a 5o

%us( #irs( exis( He also a((e%(ed (o crea(e incen(ies #or *orkin+ such as increasin+ -T' and

increasin+ %ini%u% *a+e 9//: n (he end, 'lin(on si+ned a ill in(o a la* (ha( included #e*

o# (he oor(uni(!7ased roisions he dee%ed cri(ical a( (he e+innin+ o# his (er% in o##ice

9'arcasson 200/: A#(er (he ill *as si+ned, 'lin(on (hen shi#(ed (he resonsiili(! #ro%

reciien(s (o =ni(ed S(a(es ci(i6ens n 1.., he ar+ued (ha( A%erican ci(i6ens had a %oral

oli+a(ion (o %ake sure (ha( (he eole, *ho no* %us( *ork, can *ork 9/1: $el!in+ on

A%erican ci(i6ens ins(ead o# hain+ a concre(e lan or ro+ra%, #e* 5o (rainin+s, and educa(ion

oor(uni(ies, de%ons(ra(es (he lack o# oor(uni(ies crea(ed #or reciien(s, se( (he ace #or a

re#or% (ha( *ould crea(e a do%ino e##ec( o# #ailure and un*an(ed resul(s

Pre-Welfare Culture

Wha( *as li#e like #or *el#are reciien(s e#ore 1../> A#(er (he i%le%en(a(ion o#

P$W)$A, researchers *ere ale (o osere di##erence in *ell7ein+, and co%are (he% (o (he

as(< (he cul(ure o# *el#are e#ore 1../ Were reciien(s ie*ed di##eren(l!> Was (here a shi#( in

(he a! o# reciien(s> This sec(ion *ill address *ha( (he s(a(e o# *el#are *as e#ore 'lin(on"s

re#or% n 200C, da(a *as collec(ed #ro% (he ;a(ional Don+i(udinal Sure! o# Eou(h (o ans*er



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(hese (hree seci#ic research 4ues(ions& 9a: did oor sin+le %o(hers hae e((er econo%ic *ell7

ein+ and roide a %ore osi(ie ho%e eniron%en( in 1.. 9os(7*el#are re#or%: (han in 1..C

9re7*el#are re#or%:> 9: 8id (hese di##erences e(*een re7 and os(7*el#are re#or% hae an!

associa(ion *i(h %a(ernal educa(ion leels> 9c: 8id econo%ic *ell7 ein+ and s(a(us o# (he ho%e

eniron%en( a##ec( children"s deelo%en(al ou(co%es di##eren(l!, co%arin+ re7 and os(7

*el#are re#or% !ears> 9Dee, 200. /0C: Po(en(iall!, (his da(a can roide insi+h( on *el#are

cul(ure e#ore re#or% in 1../ Fro% (he ;DSE *e are ale (o dra* seeral conclusions Firs(,

#e*er %o(hers receied ulic assis(ance in 1.. (han in 1..C )nl! (hir(! six ercen( o# %o(hers

receied an! (!e o# assis(ance in 1.., *hereas #i#(! (*o ercen( receied assis(ance in 1..C

9Dee, /0: Second, in 1..C, HS7 %o(hers2 receied a %ar+inall! hi+her a%oun( o# AF8'

(han %ore educa(ed %o(hers 9GC,3/ s GC,30:3 u( (he! also receied less child suor(

9/0: 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 HS %o(hers A#(er P$W)$A, HS7 %o(hers *orked as %an! hours as

HS %o(hers Moreoer, (o(al #a%il! inco%e and (he oer(! s(a(us chan+ed #ro% 1..C (o 1..

deendin+ on %a(ernal educa(ional leels ("s clear (ha( *el#are cul(ure *as %ore suor(ie and

#aored %o(hers *i(h lo*er leels o# educa(ion< ho*eer, a#(er (he re#or%, *as (his oula(ion

e((er o##> Bene#i(s #or HS7 *ere e((er e#ore re#or% ;one(heless, one (hin+ is #or cer(ain& (he

leel o# educa(ion a reciien("s has is an i%or(an( iece o# (he e4ua(ion More i%or(an( (han

%os( eole en+a+ed in *el#are discourse *ould dare (o ad%i(

Reform for a Better Tomorrow, or so We Thought

" #others who have less than eleven years of education and $%& mothers are those mothers who haveat 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*uatepay.



Walker

The Personal $esonsiili(! and Work )or(uni(! $econcilia(ion Ac( *as si+ned in(o

la* Au+us( 22, 1../ ! Presiden( Bill 'lin(on The ri%ar! +oal o# (he re#or% *as (o encoura+e

*el#are7deenden( %o(hers *i(h !oun+ children (o en(er (he aid laor #orce and %akin+ *ork

(he social nor% 9Dee /02: n order (o achiee (his +oal ho*eer, (he +oern%en( needed (o

ins(ill sel#7reliance in reciien(s )ne *a! o# doin+ (ha( *as (o no lon+er %ake *el#are an

en(i(le%en( For decades, assis(ance had een accessile (o %os( alican(s There *ere #e*

arrier (ha( ke( reciien(s #ro% ene#i(s Ee(, (he re#or% relaced AF8' 9*hich *as a ro+ra%

(ha( *as %uch %ore +enerous *i(h ene#i(s and lenien( *i(h re4uire%en(s: *i(h TA;F TA;F

hel es(alish (he ne* a(%oshere #or *el#are (ha( 'lin(on and 'on+ress *ere hoin+ (o

acco%lish The ke! ele%en(s o# (he ro+ra% *ere (he *ork re4uire%en(s and a li#e(i%e li%i(

#or ene#i(s ;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(ie li#e(i%e

li%i( o# #ie !ears on reciien( o# aid 9Handler, 1: The (*o re4uire%en(s *orked hand7and7

hand (o hel reciien(s +ain resonsiili(! TA;F also +ae s(a(es and coun(ies considerale

au(ono%! in i%le%en(in+ ro+ra%s 9Handler, 1.C: S(a(es *ere #ree (o crea(e an en(i(le%en(

(o assis(ance, or (o es(alish rules #or (he roision o# assis(ance in (he asence o# an en(i(le%en(

9Handler 1.2: Wi(h (his ne* #reedo% (ha( s(a(es no* ossessed, ca%e a sus(an(ial a%oun( o#

aria(ion The s(a(es, in (urn, hae %ade hi+hl! dierse and co%lex olic! choices re+ardin+

eli+iili(!, leel o# ene#i(s, *ork re4uire%en(s, sanc(ions, dura(ions o# aid, and (ransi(ion (o sel#7

suor(C 9Handler 1.2: S(ill, (he idea o# ?*ork #irs(@ *as al*a!s do%inan( The ill also

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

ro%o(ion, child suor( en#orce%en(, and ro+ra%s (ha( discoura+ed (een re+nanc! 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 /mericanrecipients ( are ideologically less liberal( have a higher0income representational bias( and are dominatedby Republican legislators $andler "2234



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*ere #e* ro+ra%s, i# an!, *hich ro%o(ed educa(ion, *hich 'lin(on elieed (o e a io(al

(ool in order (o e sel# su##icien( The Wel#are7(o7 Work ro+ra%, ano(her ro+ra% under

P$W)$A, *as desi+ned (o hel +e( *el#are reciien(s e%lo!ed, and een(uall! o## o# *el#are

8urin+ 'lin(on"s address (o socie(! aou( (heir resonsiili(! (o %akin+ sure (hose *ho %us(

*ork could, he challen+ed e%lo!ers (o hire *el#are reciien(s A( one oin(, 'lin(on Wel#are7

(o7Work coali(ion +re* (o (*en(! (housand e%lo!ers and hired 11 %illion #or%er reciien(s a(

one oin( 9'arcasson 200/, //: A#(er (he i%le%en(a(ion o# (his ro+ra%, +e((in+ reciien(s

e%lo!ed eca%e one o# (he ke! +oals So%e s(a(es chose (o ursue a +oal o# increasin+ *ork

ar(icia(ion, *hile o(hers chose (o *ork on reducin+ caseloads

/

9Handler 200: n(eres(in+l!

enou+h, (he *el#are7(o7*ork aroach has +enerall! een ased on (he de%ons(ra(ion %odel a(

$ierside 'oun(!, 'ali#ornia $ierside e%hasi6ed a s(ron+ e%lo!%en( %essa+e, inexensie

5o search, and 4uick en(r! in(o (he laor %arke( a+reeale (o (he hilosoh! (ha( a lo*7a!in+

en(r!7leel 5o is e((er (han no 5o and could lead (o a e((er one 9Handler 1.: 'ase %ana+ers

encoura+ed reciien(s een *i(h li%i(ed educa(ion (o (r! (o +e( a 5o #irs( 9Handler: $ierside

'oun(! also ado(ed ?5o clus@, *hich reciien(s *ere assi+ned (o learn ho* (o reare

resu%es, in(erie* e(i4ue((e, and ho* (o search #or a 5o 9Handler 1.: 'ase %ana+ers also

en+a+ed in 5o deelo%en( *i(h reciien(s S(ill, (he resul(s *ere %ar+inal The dea(e

re%ained aou( (he es( *a! (o increase earnin+s and reduce (he *el#are rolls nes(in+ in

hu%an cai(al or +e((in+ reciien(s direc(l! in(o (he laor #orce, *as se((led *i(h (he resul(s o# (he

;a(ional -alua(ion o# Wel#are7(o7Work S(ra(e+ies 9Handler 1.: -%lo!%en(7#ocused

5 -or a welfare recipient to become *ualified( a +ob must first exist( the individual must have the necessaryeducation and skills to be *ualified for the +ob( the +ob must pay enough to foster self0sufficiency( andtransportation( and the person would have to accept the +ob and actually go to work Carcasson "2264.6 )hese choices reflected the dominant political culture of each state $andler "2234.3 )he ational 7valuation of Welfare0to0Work %trategies included an evaluation of three sites in whichrecipients were randomly assigned to either an employment0focused approach or a basic educationprogram showed that the employment0focused program had produced higher employment and earningrates and resulted in faster exit from welfare $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 cheaes( in (er%s o# +oern%en( sendin+ Al(hou+h (here *as so%e reco+ni(ion (ha( (he

4uali(! o# educa(ion could hae an e##ec( on (he resul(s, li((le a((en(ion *as +ien (o (his issue

9Handler 200: The decision (o +o *i(h (he e%lo!%en(7#ocused s(ra(e+! ca(ures (he

hilosoh! cen(ered on re#or% discourse, *hich holds dollars %ore i%or(an( (han a de+ree The

+oern%en( is %ore concerned *i(h a lan (ha( is %ore #inanciall! conenien(, ra(her (han

sendin+ (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# reciien(s

Al(hou+h (he ill lacked %an! o# (he sendin+ roosals #or ulic 5os, childcare, and

heal(h care (ha( 'lin(on ro%ised earlier in his ad%inis(ra(ion, (he ill s(ill see%s (o e a success

(o so%e co%%en(a(ors Since (he i%le%en(a(ion o# (he ac(, laor #orce ar(icia(ion has

increased and *el#are rolls hae declined 9Dee 200.: The nu%er o# children liin+ in oer(!

chan+ed as *ell n 1..., child oer(! *as a( i(s lo*es( leel o# 1./I or 1C %illion children,

since (he +oern%en( e+an %easurin+ i( in 1.. B! 2002, i( droed (o 1/I and has re%ained

s(ead! 9'arcasson //: P$W)$A allo*ed %o(hers *i(h less educa(ion (o *ork as %an! hours

as %o(hers *i(h hi+her leels o# educa(ion. Moreoer, a #a%il! inco%e #or oor sin+le %o(hers

increases, *hile (heir oer(! ra(es decreased )erall, (he re#or% *as elieed (o hae surred

(he crea(ion o# a s(ron+er na(ional co%%uni(! e##or( (o*ards helin+ (he oor

( is i%or(an( (ha( our unders(andin+ o# ‘success" is no( #ixed, u( ra(her #luid The ulic has

een (oo #ocused on (he nu%ers leain+ *el#are, and no( enou+h on *ha( is haenin+ (o (he%

once (he! do Man! *ho le#( are no( *orkin+, and %an! o# (hose (ha( are *orkin+ are in 5os

9 )he estimated 1.1 million children that were expected to be living in poverty if the bill was ever passednever 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 ossiili(! #or u*ard %oili(! 9'arcasson 200/: # *e onl! (hink o#

success in (er%s o# increased laor %arke( ar(icia(ion and decreased rolls o# *el#are,

re+ardless i# (hose *i(h 5os hae inco%es (ha( are inade4ua(e, (hen The Wel#are $e#or% o# 1../

has achieed i(s +oal Ho*eer, #or %an! o# (hose *ho are *el#are reciien(s see success %uch

di##eren(l!, and eliee i( is (he ersec(ie o# (hose eole (ha( sere as a %ore credile

indica(or o# (he success o# (he re#or% o# 1../ Ees, (he nu%er o# reciien(s receiin+ *el#are

ene#i(s did decrease< and !es, (he ercen(a+e o# laor %arke( ar(icia(ion a%on+s( #or%er

*el#are reciien( increased as *ell< u(, 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! haened

Al(hou+h (he *el#are caseloads decreased ! nearl! C0I, %a5ori(! o# (hose *ho le#( *el#are,

*ere (hose ho* had (he educa(ion, exerience, and skills needed (o secure a 5o (ha( *ould

roide (he% *i(h an ade4ua(e inco%e For (hose *o%en *ho %a! no( hae had (he desired

leels o# educa(ion and *ere s(ill ale (o leae *el#are, a si+ni#ican( ercen(a+e o# (ha(

oula(ion re(urned (o *el#are shor(l! a#(er (heir exi( ecause (he 5os (he! held did no( roide

(he% *i(h (he inco%e needed (o eco%e sel#7su##icien( More aderse 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(@ To %ake *el#are re#or% success#ul, *el#are eli+ile

%o(hers should learn co%e(i(ie 5o skills e#ore (he! are re4uired (o *ork 9Dee 200.:

Scholars oin( ou( (hree causes #or (he decline& (he ne* *el#are rules, a rous( econo%!

(ha( roduced %illions o# 5os, and (he increased aid (o lo*7inco%e *orkers 9'arcasson //:

There has een con(roers! aou( 5us( ho* resonsile P$W)$A is in causin+ (hese chan+es

Wel#are re#or% *as i%le%en(ed in (he %ids( o# exce(ional econo%ic and de%o+rahic olic!

chan+es ( 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 e a((riu(ed (o (he re#or% 9Murra! 200, 301: As #or

(he decreased enroll%en( in TA;F, all (he credi( canno( si%l! +o (o e%lo!%en( TA;F +ae

s(a(es (he o*er (o de(er%ine eli+iili(! #or *el#are ro+ra%s, *hich led (o %ore arriers (o

receiin+ ene#i(s Man! s(a(es re4uired *o%en al!in+ #or aid (o cooera(e *i(h child7suor(

en#orce%en( a+en(s and iden(i#! (he #a(her n addi(ion, %os( s(a(es re4uire alican(s (o si+n a

?ersonal resonsiili(!@ con(rac( (ha( se( a arie(! o# ehaioral re4uire%en( Failure (o %ee(

(hese re4uire%en(s can resul( in sanc(ion 9Handler 1.C: The nu%erous ad%inis(ra(ie

arriers, includin+ re4uire%en(s (o sho* eidence o# 5o search, a(erni(! iden(i#ica(ion, and

a((endin+ 5o orien(a(ion rior (o eli+iili(! de(er%ina(ion *ere hurdles *hich *ere in(ended (o

se( (he cos( o# al!in+ hi+h (o discoura+e en(r! in(o ro+ra%s 10 9Handler 23/: As a resul(,

case %ana+ers ushed reciien(s (o *ork, and ro%o(ed 4uick en(r! in(o laor %arke(s ins(ead o#

helin+ reciien(s receie aid and exlorin+ o(her o(ions such as educa(ion TA;F chan+ed (he

d!na%ics o# *el#are and *el#are o##ice cul(ure The ne* or+ani6a(ional %!(h is (ha( *el#are

dear(%en(s are no lon+er in (he usiness o# de(er%inin+ eli+iili(! and roidin+ cash

assis(ance $a(her, (he! are e%lo!%en( a+encies, assis(in+ (he reciien(s in(o (he laor %arke(

9Handler 1.: $eciien(s *ere ushed ou( o# *el#are and in(o (he lo*7*a+e laor %arke(

ecause (he oular elie# *as (ha( lo* *a+e laor is e((er (han no( *orkin+ a( all and i( is (he

s(ein+ s(one (o a e((er 5o )ne o# (he +rea( %!(hs aou( (he lo*7*a+e %arke( is (ha( i( is a

s(ein+ s(one (o a e((er and %ore s(ale 5o The reali(! is #ar %ore co%lex, and in #ac(, (he

%a5ori(! o# (hose e%lo!ed in (he lo*7*a+e laor %arke( re%ain (here, s(uck *i(h lo*7*a+e

5os, hae #e* i# an! ene#i(s and exerience considerale 5o ins(aili(! and insecuri(! 9Handler

23.:

12 )/- encourages states and counties to use sanctions as a means to achieve compliance becausestates that failed to achieve minimum rates of participation by recipients ,2; for single0parent familiesand 82; for two0parent families4 were themselves sub+ect to penalty pp.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 lied in oer(! and *ho had a his(or! *i(h *el#are %a! hae exerienced a

di##eren( reali(! ("s eas! #or (hose *ho %ake (he rules and olicies (o ie* (he% as success, u(

(he (ru(h is, (he re#or% did no( hel eer!one n (his sec(ion, *ill exlore (he reali(ies o#

*el#are re#or% #or (hose *o%en !ou #ell shor( in ene#i(in+ #ro% (he ill ar+ue (ha( no( all (i%e

li%i(a(ions and *ork re4uire%en(s are aroria(e #or all #a%ilies There is a arie(! #or #ac(ors

(ha( should e (aken in(o considera(ion Failure (o acce( (he he(ero+enei(! a%on+s( reciien(s

onl! hinders (heir success, and %akes (he +oal o# eco%in+ sel#7su##icien( %ore dis(an(

While *el#are rolls declined ! nearl! C0I, i( *as ?5o read!@ indiiduals *ho escaed

*el#are #irs( This reali6a(ion led (o le+isla(ie a%end%en(s in 1.. allo*in+ s(a(es (o roide

educa(ion, (rainin+, and 5o7readiness serices (o (he hardes(7(o7e%lo! +rous, *hile re(ainin+

(he li#e (i%e li%i( and *ork #irs( s(iula(ion o# *el#are #or (he% 9Baner5ee C12: n Jansas, (he

8ear(%en( o# Hu%an Social $esources and (he 8ear(%en( o# Social and $ehaili(a(ie

Serices collaora(ed (o #und a 5o readiness (rainin+ ro+ra% #or eole *ho had %ul(ile

arriers (o e%lo!%en(, *hich *as called Micro7-n(rereneurial Trainin+ 9M-T : 9Baner5ee

2003: The sa%e arriers (ha( *o%en ar(icia(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 laor %arke( #aced Jansas #ound

(ha( caseloads o# cash assis(ance declined ! C0I, u( 3I o# (hose #a%ilies re(urned *i(hin /

%on(hs Moreoer, onl! 1/I le#( ecause o# hi+her earnin+s 9Baner5ee 200.: To e((er

unders(and *h! exi(in+ *el#are is a reali(! #or onl! a er! #e*, #our *o%en *ere chosen #or a



Walker

lon+i(udinal sure! (o roide insi+h( on arriers *o%en #ace (ha( re#or% %i+h( no( (ake in(o

considera(ion Bane and -ll*ood iden(i#! (hree (heories (o exlain eoles" *el#are useKexi(

ehaior& choice, exec(anc!, and class cul(ure 9Dee 200.: The choice (heor! s(a(es (ha( eole

ealua(e (heir inco%e caaili(! ! exa%inin+ (heir educa(ion, *ork skills, and exerience in (he

%arke( econo%! 9eole choose (he o(ion (ha( a!s (he %os( -xec(anc!, is (he *a! social and

econo%ic ins(i(u(ions shae users< %o(ia(ion, sel#7es(ee%, con#idence, and sense o# con(rol oer

ou(co%es Peole *i(h a +rea(er sense o# con#idence and con(rol are %ore likel! (o e %o(ia(ed

(o leae 9Baner5ee C1C: Das(l!, class7cul(ure (heor! e%hasi6es (he alue and cul(ure (ha(

exis( in cen(ers o# isola(ed L concen(ra(ed oer(!< eole #eelin+ hoeless aou( +he((o li#e %a!

acce( *el#are deendenc! as a *a! o# li#e 9Baner5ee C1C: There *ere (*o %ain role%s

(ha( arose in (he ro+ra%& so%e ar(ician(s *ere *i(hdra*in+ #ro% (he ro+ra% and o(hers *as

no( s(ar(in+ a %icro7en(errise a#(er +radua(in+ #ro% (he ro+ra% 'ri(ics %a! lael (hose

reciien(s as ein+ la6! or unin(eres(ed, u( (he! %a! #ail (on considered reciien(s"

circu%s(ances ;o( onl! are reciien(s exec(ed (o co%le(e (he ro+ra%, u( (he! are exec(ed

(o do i( *hile also holdin+ a #ull7(i%e 5o< no( (o %en(ion (heir du(ies and oli+a(ions as %o(hers

#ind olic! %akers (o e insensile (o reciien(s" doule shi#(s as aren(s Baner5ee and seen

doc(oral s(uden(s in(erie*ed C2 M-T ar(ician(s and chose #our (o resen( (he reali(ies o# (heir

exerience *i(h *el#are in (he %ids( o# re#or% The #our *o%en o##er insi+h( on arriers (ha(

*o%en in *el#are #ace (ha( %a! kee (he% #ro% exi(in+ These *o%en %a! also roide

%e(hods (ha( can e use#ul (o hel escae *el#are

Debra:

8era is a 3C !ears old A#rican A%erica, *ho is diorced *i(h (hree children a+ed (o

1/ She has (*o !ears o# colle+e, and has had "0 %illion" 5os *hich include& %achine



Walker

oera(or, leasin+ a+en(, s(ore clerk, %aid, *ai(ress, de( collec(or, and case %ana+er

8era *as #orced (o leae her *ell7a!in+ 5o as a %achine oera(or due (o #iro%!al+ia

Her case %ana+er u( her on AF8' and #ood s(a%s ins(ead o# disaili(! 8era"s

%o(her *as ‘no( educa(ed a( all" nor *as she ‘e%o(ionall! aailale" 8era +re* u on

*el#are and had her #irs( child a( 1 She re+re(s %akin+ con(inued ‘*ron+ choices" aou(

%en and hain+ (*o %ore children ‘( *as (he siri(ual rela(ionshi had *i(h od (ha(

+o( %e u" 8iscussin+ *el#are e#ore and a#(er re#or%, 8era sa!s& ‘Wha( has hur( %e

(he %os( is *hen "e *orked hard, and hae no( een ale (o #eed %! kids, and (he!

(ell %e %ake (oo %uch And *a(ch a *o%an, *ho has done no(hin+, all da!, eer!

da!, and she"s +o( a aske(#ul o# #ood, and +o( rice "% a!in+ all (his %one! ou( on

da!care Sin+le %o%s could hae chosen (o aandon (he kids, and (hen (he s(a(e *ould

hae (o look a#(er (he kids N(he s(a(eO don"( %ake an! a((e%( (o #ind daddies The

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+ And usuall!, (he one *ho su##ers is (he %o(her"9Baner5ee C17

C1.:

Accordin+ (o 8era, (he *ors( asec( 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%

Pomona:

Po%ona is C27!ears7old *i(h ei+h( children She did no( #inish hi+h school and had her

#irs( 5o a( 1/ a( a Mc8onald"s She has also een a 5ani(orial (e%, a housekeeer, and a

nurses" aide Po%ona could no( kee her 5os ecause o# (he ‘eole" Po%ona ad%i(s (o

ein+ a#raid o# *el#are re#or% ecause she hadn"( *orked in !ears Pre+nan( a( 1, she

+o( on *el#are and dre* on her s(e#a(her"s social securi(! ene#i(s -en(uall! she *as



Walker

suor(ed ! %en *ho deal( dru+s Po%ona +re* u oor, and she did no( kno* her

#a(her She is e%arrassed ecause she is (he onl! %e%er in her #a%il! on *el#are

Po%ona clai%s (ha( (he *el#are checks are no( enou+h (o (ake care o# her children ‘("s

no( enou+h %one! co%in+ in(o (he ho%e, and (he kids are reall! +e((in+ #rus(ra(ed

ecause o# (he (hin+s (ha( (he! *an( The! +e( ou( and sell dru+s" Po%ona"s 21 !ear old

dau+h(er has no( co%le(ed hi+h school, has a a! dau+h(er, and lies a( ho%e Po%ona

#ears her dau+h(er *ill e ‘ano(her %e" ‘ *as so #ear#ul o# #acin+ (he *orld on %!

o*n %! su7conscious %ind (ellin+ %!sel#, collec( (he *el#are (ha( *a! !ou don"(

hae (o *ork and #ace (hese eole Peole %ake %e nerous" 9Baner5ee C1.7C21:

While a((endin+ (he M-T ro+ra%, Po%ona a((e%(ed suicide She did no( s(ar( her usiness,

nei(her did she *ork ien her lack o# 5o skills, sarse *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 C21:

Jackie:

ackie is 32 !ears old *i(h (hree children a+ed #ro% 1. %on(hs (o 13 !ears She has an

Associa(e"s de+ree and ar(ial re4uire%en(s #or a Bachelor"s de+ree She had her #irs( 5o

a( 13 Her 5os *ere ei(her uns(ale or had (o e +ien u ecause o# her children"s heal(h

issues She *orks ar( (i%e on susidi6ed e%lo!%en( a( a ci(! +oern%en( o##ice ackie

does no( kno* her #a(her, and she +re* u on *el#are *hile her %o(her *orked as a

nann! She has een on *el#are, on and o## #or 13 !ears Dike 8era, ackie elieed her

li#e"s di##icul(ies are (ied (o (he ‘ad choices *i(h %en Also si%ilar (o 8era, ackie sa!s

(ha( i# (he #a(her"s had suor(ed her children, she *ould hae neer een on *el#are as



Walker

lon+ as she *as ackie"s *el#are (i%e clock s(oed (ickin+ on (he +rounds o# do%es(ic

iolence 9Baner5ee C217C23:

Danielle:

8anielle, (he !oun+es( ar(ician(, is 2 !ears old and diorced *i( (hree children

8anielle *en( on ulic assis(ance #or (he second (i%e due (o childir(h, *hich caused

co%lica(ions and reen(ed her #ro% *orkin+ 8anielle has a -8 and an Associa(e"s

de+ree 8anielle co%%en(s on (he ros and cons o# *el#are She is ri%aril! use( *i(h

case %ana+ers ‘;o* (he social *orkers are di##eren( (he!"re %akin+ lo(s o#

%is(akes (he! ac( suerior" 8anielle *as een(uall! ale (o +e( o## ulic assis(ance

9Baner5ee C237C2:

There is %uch (ha( can e learned #ro% (he exeriences o# (hese #our *o%en Al(hou+h (his

s(ud! *as conduc(ed *i(h a s%all +rou, (hese *o%en are a #air reresen(a(ion o# a lar+er

oula(ion There#ore, (heir arriers, 4ues(ions, and concerns %a! echo (hose o# (he o(her

*o%en liin+ in (he shado*s o# *el#are )ne concern (ha( arose, is (he *or(h o# *orkin+ 8era

exressed her #rus(ra(ion *i(h (he lack o# suor( #ro% (he +oern%en(, al(hou+h she %ade an

e##or( (o *ork This eoked (he 4ues(ion& s *orkin+ *or(h i(> Ho* can case %ana+ers exec(

*o%en (o *ork in lo*7*a+e laor *hen (here are no incen(ies (o kee (he% %o(ia(ed (o

*ork> So%e *o%en *ho aren"( *orkin+ are ale (o #eed (heir children, *hile *o%en ho* %ake

an e##or( %a! s(ru++le When eole %ake (he ‘e##or(" (o seek and %ain(ain a 5o, or (o s(ar( a

%icro7en(errise, addi(ional serice such as cash assis(ance, childcare, (ransor(a(ion, and heal(h

care need (o e con(inuousl! aailale un(il (he! a((ain so%e econo%ic s(aili(! When so%e are

aaren(l! no( %akin+ (he ‘e##or(" (o eco%e econo%icall! sel#7relian(, heal(h care serices as

*ell as s!cho(hera! +eared (o*ard resolin+ con#lic(s, uildin+ sel#7es(ee%, and sel#7



Walker

e%o*er%en( %us( e aailale 9Baner5ee C31: There also see%s (o e a concern aou(

+oern%en(al e##or(s ackie #eels olic! %akers and case %ana+ers aren"( as concerned as (he!

should e Social *orkers need (o re%ind olic! %akers (ha( eole do no( choose (o e on

*el#are ecause (he! are la6! and li#e is easier *hen (he! are no( *orkin+< eole rel! on

*el#are ecause o# li#e"s circu%s(ances (ha( are a resul( o# (he erson7in7s!s(e% con#i+ura(ion

9Baner5ee C31:She also oin(s ou( (ha( *o%en are (he #ocus o# *el#are re#or% and are (he

ones %ade (o su##er Wo%en are ein+ enali6ed ! a a(riarchal oli(ical s!s(e% (ha( i%oses

harsh rules and re+ula(ions on (heir ehaior, ra(her (han en#orcin+ child suor( la*s on

asen(ee #a(hers Bo(her ackie and 8era eliee (ha( i# (heir children"s" #a(hers *ere %ore

suor(ie, (he! *ould no( hae had (o (urn (o *el#are 9Baner5ee 2003: )n (he o(her hand,

8anielle and 8era *ere ale (o leae *el#are ecause (he! u+raded (heir educa(ion and skills,

and hae ar!in+ de+rees o# *ork exerience (ha( %akes (he% eliee in (heir earnin+ caaili(!

Social *ork rac(i(ioners and s(uden(s %us( #ull! lis(en (o and learn aou( (he reali(ies o# *el#are

and *el#are re#or% #ro% (he exeriences o# *o%en o# color so (ha( (he! can (ake (he necessar!

s(es and a( leas( one ex(ra s(e (o hel such *o%en and (heir #a%ilies lie a di+ni#ied li#e o#

(heir choice 9Baner5ee C31:

Does Race atter!

8esi(e (hose *ho sa! o(her*ise, (he exeriences in *el#are ar! deendin+ on race

$esearch has #ound (ha( (he direc( i%ac( o# racial ariales is +rea(er (han (ha( #or an! o(her

class o# ariales *hen i( co%es (o cash assis(ance ro+ra%s o# *el#are 9Brock 200.: $ace is

#ound (o e (he leadin+ #ac(or in *el#are olic! ado(ion The +rea(er (he co%osi(ion o# A#rican

A%ericans in (he s(a(e"s oula(ion, (he %ore likel! i( is (o ado( a harsh li%i( olic! 9Brock

./: 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(hers As reiousl! s(a(ed, A%ericans are no(

oosed (o o##erin+ suor( (o (he oor, u( (he! are unsuor(ie o# *el#are The #ac( (ha( Black

*o%en are (he #ace o# *el#are can discoura+e suor( #or *el#are ecause o# (he ne+a(ie i%a+e

a((riu(ed (o ‘*el#are 4ueens" n (he %a5ori(!"s collec(ie s!che, *el#are 4ueens are Black

*o%en *ho are seen as la6!, don"( *an( (o *ork, and hae children ou( o# *edlock (o increase

(heir cash ene#i(s ( is (his racial s(ereo(!in+ (ha( shaes *el#are olic! and causes (he ulic

no( (o suor( *el#are in +eneral 9Brock 200.: n a cross7(aula(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

oula(ions )# (he seen s(a(es (ha( hae a oula(ion o# A#rican A%ericans exceedin+ 20I, all

u( one hae olices ca(e+ori6ed& harsh, er! harsh, or %os( harsh 9Brock .//: The +rea(er

(he ercen(a+e o# lacks, (he %ore likel! (he s(a(e is (o ado( harsh (i%e li%i( olicies These

racis( ie*s o# *el#are %us( chan+e i# *e are (o %ake an! ro+ress There#ore, s(a(es should no(

hae (he o(ion o# cus(o%i6in+ (i%e li%i(s 9Brock 200.:

Does Welfare Value "ducation!

The 1../ Wel#are $e#or% lack oor(uni(ies in educa(ion, desi(e 'lin(on"s s(a(e%en(

(ha( educa(ion is a necessi(! in order (o secure 4uali#ied 5os in a New York Times edi(orial

ar+ue (ha( educa(ion ra(her (han lo*7*a+e *ork is (he ke! (o sel# su##icienc! and %oili(!

Ho*eer, a#(er (he ill *as assed, %an! s(a(es reduced (heir suor( o# os(secondar! educa(ion

and ins(ead e%hasi6ed *ork7#irs( ro+ra%s 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# achiein+ #inancial sel#7su##icienc! 9Pearson 200:



Walker

To unders(and (he lo+ic o# *el#are dear(%en( cul(ure, !ou %us( #irs( ask !oursel# a er!

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(ician(s" access (o hi+her educa(ion as a %eans o#

achiein+ sel#7su##icienc!> 9Pearson 2C: There are seeral #ac(ors (ha( *ork (o+e(her in

crea(in+ a discoura+in+ a(%oshere #or educa(ion Firs(, (he ac(ions o# case %ana+ers and (he

cul(ure o# *el#are o##ice shae TA;F7eli+ile s(uden(s" erce(ions o# (heir educa(ional o(ions

9Pearson 200: 'ase %ana+ers are ressured (o increase *ork ar(icia(ion ecause (heir

#undin+ deends on i( 'ase %ana+ers are also ressured in(o conincin+ reciien(s (ha( an! 5o

is e((er (han no 5o, een i# (ha( 5o does no( roide an ade4ua(e *a+e 9Pearson 3: 'ase

%ana+ers hae eco%e #ar (oo concerned *i(h (he nu%ers and less concerned aou( (he eole

The ar(icia(ion ra(es ro%o(e an in(ense #ocus on (he nu%ers (ha( #re4uen(l! dis(rac( case

%ana+ers #ro% addressin+ indiiduals" ac(ual needs )ne case %ana+er in eor+ia s(a(es&

?Because eer!od! is real orien(ed (o (he nu%ers ri+h( no*, (he!"re losin+ si+h( o# (he erson,

so %uch Eou kno*, i("s all aou( (he nu%ers ecause (he!"re +e((in+ i+ ressure #ro% (he

s(a(es" As a resul( o# ro%o(in+ nu%ers, case *orkers #ind (he%seles askin+ clien(s (o inole

(he%seles in ac(ii(ies (ha( %i+h( or %i+h( no( e relean( (o (heir ar(icular si(ua(ion or

caaili(ies 9Pearson C07C1: Second, ne* #ederal res(ric(ions are likel! (o disadan(a+e

*el#are ar(ician(s $ecen( chan+es (o TA;F olic! oer(l! reeal a reluc(ance (o suor(

os(secondar! educa(ion TA;Fs reau(hori6a(ion in une 200/ li%i(ed (he nu%er o# hours and

(!e o# colle+e educa(ion (ha( can e ursued ! ro+ra% ar(ician(s, *hich s(eered ar(ician(s

a*a! #ro% achelor de+rees 9Pearson 200: Third, as Sharon Ha!s, a ro#essor o# Sociolo+! a(

(he =niersi(! 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 eniron%en( in#used *i(h



Walker

a(ernalis(ic i%ersonali(! 9Pearson 2: The cul(ure o# *el#are in (he o##ices in eor+ia has

discoura+ed s(uden(s #ro% ursuin+ school (hrou+h (he use o# si+ns, lan+ua+e, and ersonal

elie#s Slo+ans (ha( read& ?Di#e *orks i# !ou *ork@ and ?Work %eans %ore (han %one!@

ere(ua(e (he idea (ha( *ork is %ore i%or(an( and leads (o e((er resul(s The idea o# a((endin+

colle+e as an acce(ale %eans o# a((ainin+ sel#7su##icienc! is ir(uall! asen(< no*here are (here

si+ns ro%o(in+ a colle+e educa(ion So%e %a! ar+ue ?ho* can !ou ro%o(e secondar!

educa(ion *hen %an! reciien(s hae no( een co%le(ed hi+h school>@ The reali(! is,

reciien(s *ish (o #ur(her *ork on (heir educa(ional +oals, u( (he! are con(inuousl! discoura+ed

Those reciien(s *ho hae no( co%le(ed hi+h school *ish (o +o ack and %oe on (o secondar!

educa(ion, u( once a+ain, case %ana+ers and TA;F re+ula(ions %ake i( nearl! i%ossile #or

s(uden(s (o %ake educa(ion a ossiili(! Das(l!, reciien(s are discoura+ed #ro% ursuin+ school

ecause o# (he ersonal oinions and elie#s o# case %ana+ers (ha( (h*ar( an! chances o# en(r!

$eac(in+ solel! on ersonal elie#, case %ana+ers #ind (ha( %os( reciien(s *on"( e in(eres(ed in

+oin+ (o school, so (he! #ail (o %en(ion i( as an o(ion a( all 'ase %ana+ers %a! also e

reluc(an( (o hel reciien(s *i(h (heir educa(ion +oals ecause (he! ecause 5ealous o# reciien(s

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 3.: As a resul(, case

%ana+ers %a! eco%e enious o# reciien(s *ho receie cash aid and *ho %a! o(en(iall!

o(ain %ore educa(ion )ne case %ana+er shares&

?"e %e( so%e case *orkers (ha( are ac(uall! 5ealous o# (he% and don"( exac(l! aroe

o# i( ecause, in so%e cases, (he eole (ha( (he! re#er (ha( are +oin+ (hrou+h (he s!s(e%

ac(uall! co%e ou( in a e((er osi(ion (han (he case *orkers Eou kno* so (he! #eel,

‘Wh! should (he! hae all (his suor(, and don"( hae i(> "% *orkin+ #or a liin+ and



Walker

s(u##" The! don"( see *h! i("s necessar! #or !ou as a reciien( (o +o and send (he (ax

a!ers" dollars (o +o o(ain a hi+her educa(ion (han (he! hae@@ 9Pearson 3.:

For %an! case %ana+ers, educa(ion eco%es a luxur! #or (hose *ho can a##ord i(, no( necessi(!

#or sel#7su##icienc!

Conclusions # Recommendations

8id (he Wel#are $e#or% o# 1../ chan+e our erce(ions o# *el#are> As %uch as *ould

loe (o ad%i( i( did, eliee socie(!"s erce(ions o# *el#are and *el#are reciien(s hae

eco%e deel! e%edded in(o A%erican cul(ure as a ne+a(ie heno%enon < ho*eer, do

eliee indiiduals are s(ar(in+ (o chan+e (heir ie*s on *ha( i( (akes (o +e( ou( o# *el#are ( has

een s(a(is(icall! eri#ied (ha( educa(ion in (he sures( (icke( (o econo%ic sel#7su##icienc!, u( !e(

*el#are olicies con(inue (o ush reciien(s a*a! #ro% (his reali6a(ion and (o*ards (he idea o#

*orkin+, een i# i("s a lo*7*a+e 5o There can e %illions o# #in+ers (ha( can e oin(ed a(

eole and in(ui(ions (o la%e, u( (hink chan+e *i(hin social *orker *ould render

considerale resul(s 'ase %ana+ers hae a considerale a%oun( o# o*er and con(rol oer o(h

TA;F olices and reciien(s Social *orkers need (o re%ind olic! %akers (ha( eole don"(

choose (o e on *el#are ecause (he! are la6! and li#e is easier *hen no( *orkin+< eole rel! on

*el#are ecause o# li#e"s circu%s(ances (ha( are a resul( o# (he erson7in7s!s(e% con#i+ura(ion

The! also need (o con(inue (o adoca(e #or cancelin+ li#e (i%e li%i(s and *ork #irs( #or so%e

eole Wel#are re#or% %us( acco%%oda(e eole *i(h lo* skill, educa(ion, and *ork

exerience, and oor heal(h Wel#are assis(ance %us( e len+(hened #or so%e eole and re(ained

#or o(hers *ho need i( #or aried li#e circu%s(ances Al(hou+h educa(ion %a! no( e (he solu(ion

#or eer!one, eliee i( renders resul(s (ha( are %ore in line *i(h (he +oals o# re#or% *hich are



Walker

(o eco%e sel#7su##icien(, econo%icall! s(ale, and *ork< and (he es( *a! (o achiee (his +oal is

(o con(inue (o adoca(e #or %ore educa(ion oor(uni(ies *i(hin *el#are

$%%endi&

'( Ta)le for section *The Realities of Women in Welfare+



Walker



Walker

( Ta)le for section *Pre-Welfare Culture

quick fix philosophy of welfare reform: cost concerns versus the importance of education

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