Introduction
The US department of health and human services has indicated a commitment to “reduce the dependency of needy families through the promotion of job preparation, work and marriage” and to “provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes” (Office of Family Assistance, 2017). With changes in family dynamics and the shifting economy it is increasingly less plausible for single-earner households to achieve economic stability (Stevens, 2017). Parents who are working and participating in job preparation programs cannot be present at home to care for their children. This may be the cause of people receiving cash benefits for prolonged periods of time and not working (Adams, Spaulding, & Heller,
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Historically, the concept of working mothers has been negated by social welfare policies (Abramovitz, 1992). The implementation of such programs could signify a turn from the imposition of the patriarchy regarding familial structure and provide a more solution focused approach to low-income families. Abramovitz (1992) discussed the family ethic and social reproduction as primary motivators to the introduction of several social welfare programs. The idea that childcare should be accommodated and considered in workforce development programs is in direct contrast to the proposed function of social welfare programs. As such it allows for women to enter into or remain in the workforce and to have families not bound by patriarchal gender roles (Adams, Spaulding, & Heller, 2015). Abramovitz later discusses the tendency of programs that serve the middle and upper classes to remain fully funded and not have their budgets cut or redistributed while those programs that serve only poor and working-class people are underfunded and further restricted (Abramovitz, 2001). Funding for various educational and occupational grants diminish the funds allocated for workforce development programs on federal, state, and local levels. As such there are insignificant resources to fund the initiative of childcare provision or accommodation (Adams, Spaulding, & Heller, 2015). Martin (1990) expressed that the welfare state has three macro
“Branded with Infamy” draws one into the challenges that poor women and children face every day (Adair). Stricken with poverty leaves women and children that are already suffering, forced to suffer more, which Adair brings up in this article when she’s talking about her mother having to work twice as hard to be discipline for her husband walking out on her (Adair, 236). The article “Enforcing the Work Ethic” has more of a focus on the welfare system for poor women and children (Hays). This article addresses the issues of how mothers are forced to find a job right away and when they are unable to meet all the requirements the welfare system is requesting then they end up losing their welfare forcing them and their children to live without
Krashinsky begins his argument by acknowledging the fact that a clear majority of mothers with young children are working, and the rate at which this is occurring has grown consistently since 1976. This is a direct result of the feminist movement, as a combination of factors such as higher pay, less discrimination, and more schooling, has resulted in young women beginning to view a life in the workplace as normal. As a result of this, many mothers are not going to stop working unless a policy offers them a significant sum, which would undoubtedly cost more than the best childcare program available. Instead of trying to prevent mothers from working, we should encourage them
People generally enjoy working and being productive members of society. The positive effects of the Welfare Reform Act is moving to eventually end poverty in America and promote economic growth. According to the 2005 report measuring welfare dependents “Poverty in 2003 remains much lower than in 1996, the year of passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. The official poverty rate for 2003 was 12.5 percent, compared to 13.7 percent in 1996.” ( Gil Crouse, Susan Hauan, Julia Isaacs, Kendall Swenson and Lisa Trivits, 2005 ) States that design welfare-to-work policies that emphasized getting recipients into jobs by shifting to “work-first” welfare systems can modify program rules to allow more earned income,
The problem is accentuated by the widening of the gap between rich and poor, that can be translated in this matter as an increase of difficulty for low-income families to have access to the much more expensive high quality day care options. There are several aspects that built such a controversial situation and the most important are certainly the cultural and economical ones. The huge growth in women’s independence and professional ambition, in addition to importance, of the last decades, caused the fall of the cultural basis that have always taken for granted the responsibility of the mother as the full-time caregiver (Chisholm 38). Now women are more willing to gain a successful and respectable place in society, and this can be achieved almost exclusively through hard work and full immersion in their jobs. Simultaneously, the economical situation of our society caused many families to depend on two incomes to satisfy the basic needs. In fact, the increase in the cost of living not sufficiently balanced by a relatively smaller rise in wages, and a greater attitude toward materialism and conspicuous consumption, have given women the same financial responsibility as men (Chilman 451). This aspect can be fully applied only on families with an average income or better, because professional daycare programs are pretty expensive and in some cases can reach prices higher than the minimum wage. Those factors
The textbook, Feminist Issues: Race, Class, and sexuality, addresses the observable changes in the Since the mid-20 century, there have been Women have entered the labour market and family care relations of Canadian families work with raising and caring for force in ever-increasing numbers and are combining paid racial children, either with a partner or alone. I focus n the chapter, I take these changes in Canadian families as our through mothers' how families- in whatever shape or form they are maintained I use the term engagement in and managing of market and family care relations Whereas paid work relations" to refer to the structure of the labour market, and "family care relations" encompasses the caregiving relationships outline have with
The Urban Institute published a case study that promotes the creation of national paid family leave policy in the United States. In the study, it is shown that this issue has been debated countless times in the past. George H.W. Bush even vetoed an unpaid family leave act during his presidency. This displays the struggles of enacting policy relating to this issue. The lack of a national paid family leave program in the US has left working mothers with three options: “return to work immediately after childbirth, quit employment, or take unpaid leave” (Urban Institute, 2017, p.3). The issue with these options include, loss of pay, unemployment, or the lack of parental presence in a child’s early development. Moreover, although some private companies offer paid leave, less educated and lower income mother have little access to this paid leave, which exacerbates their financial instability, keeping them in a lower societal class. This study found that not only is the current system is inadequate, but it is also inequitable, which causes financial hardships across the nation. According to the study, there has even been a 32% decrease in income after childbirth. Although this is the current situation, some states have enacted a statewide paid family leave program, which displays
One main effort of welfare reform is to replace public assistance with earnings. To date, politicians and welfare reform advocates have applauded the efforts and claimed success. However, lurking at the surface of welfare-to-work policies are serious problems and structural impediments. Lack of jobs, low pay, job-readiness, and difficulties in securing ancillary supports like transportation and child care are obvious problems that are not easily resolved. Full-time low-wage work does not provide enough income to support families, nor does it accommodate the demands that full-time parents have. These problems plague welfare-to-work efforts and make life very difficult for poor, single-mother families. At the same time, they create an opportunity to consider the value of care giving work and to reform the nature of low-wage work. (Albeda 71)
They do not have a significant other 37 percent of single-parents families lack self sufficiency and are officially poor compared with 7 percent of married-couple families (Rector). Welfare can help the underachieving single parents that do not have a stable income. This proves and shows that some individuals can and want to be
In 1996 Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, which created Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). TANF is a block grant that provides cash assistance for those who qualify. However, over time “many states are cutting” into programs such as TANF; the benefits received continue to decline (1). Due to such aggressive cuts, New York, which provides the most aid offered by TANF than of any other states, remains unable to progress a family of four above “50% of the federally defined poverty line” (1). Furthermore, countless reforms have been created such as the inclusion of the back to work program. The program mandates thirty-five hours a week where recipients are hypothetically job searching, however, the majority “basically sat there and twiddled their thumbs” (2). Many who are eligible would rather not endure the humiliating
Secondly, precarious work affects the living state of women financially as single mothers and how they were seen dependent primarily on their husbands wages and occupational choices. Now as single mothers they are unable to escape the debilitating effects of impoverishment which is shown through Ann Duffy and Nancy Mandell's article. This article articulates that a women's income drops by 20 to 40 percent as single mother because they do not have a male as a breadwinner for the family (Duffy and Mandell, 253). Females are more likely to experience this situation because if they do go into the work workforce they are payed less than men. Single mothers tend to be stigmatized when they receive social assistance in taking care of their children due to the Victorian ideals of society that women should follow their role of domestic work.
Generally, childcare subsidy policies are associated with the quality of care children receive in two ways. First, in states with more generous subsidies more children were enrolled in formal childcare and in center care. The subsidy recipients gained access to more formal care through increased purchasing power (Rigby, Ryan, & Brooks‐Gunn, 2007). Besides, childcare subsidies were designed as work supports for low income mothers, with little attention to quality of care, nonetheless, subsidies could be used for purchasing high quality care (Rigby et al.). As a result, the welfare policies boosted employment that led children to spend increased time in non-parental care (Crosby, Gennetian, & Huston, 2005).
Public programs such as welfare, food stamps, and housing represent a portion of the household income. Housing and benefits amount to most of a single mothers’ household earnings. Benefits such as food stamps and Medicaid are available to those who qualify. Public housing serves as assistance to reduce the cost, however, not many people are able to receive this assistance. The welfare reform changed from ‘Aid to Families with Dependent Children’ to ‘Temporary Assistance for Needy Families’ which changed the ability to receive assistance while staying home to watch their children. Congress emphasized paid employment and funded marriage promotion (Gemelli, M. 2008). A large food assistance program is food stamps. Food stamps assist single mothers during times of instability. WIC, or the women, infants, and children is also another food program. However, it serves fewer families and mostly focuses on families with young children to secure healthier food. Single mothers carry many responsibilities such as working to support their family rather than for their own pleasure, something a mother can do when she has someone to help with bills. This leads to spending most of their time working which is why many single mothers believe they can’t be good mothers. Child care for those who are in the economic margins aren’t as reliable as those with a higher income.
This week’s literature analyzed social dynamics as they relate to women as workers, mothers, foster-care mothers, and recipients of government support. The authors concluded that the cause and persistence of social problems such as poverty to imperfect labor markets and other systemic malfunctions fall within the conservative or behavioral analyzation or the liberal or institutional examination. This author argued that the behavioral explanation of social problems has influence social work practice and social welfare policy. This adaption allows professionals and intervention technique to blame individuals for social problems, specifically women. Engaging in the same argument, author Diana Pearce focused on the welfare reform adaption of the
This child care center flourishes with creativity. The environment is molded by family orientation and the thriving of learning. The building is red brick all the way around with black roofing. The outside has a look of professionalism and welcoming to all who enter. The flowers and shrubbery change by the season and the cleanliness of the area is inviting to all visitors. Upon coming in the front door, the warmth of the lobby is immediately comforting. The art work of the children grace the walls and the smells of the kitchen indicate the chef is at work preparing the meals of the day. All classrooms are open door and to all who wish to visit, with permission of
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) created new policies, programs and time-constraints concerning the services welfare-reliant women received. The intent was to decrease the population of welfare-reliant women by offering services that focus on employment training and entering the workforce within a specified timeframe. There is an underlying assumption that it is of public opinion that individuals have a personal responsibility to work and should not receive welfare benefits over an unrestricted amount of time even if their economic conditions do not provide stable living conditions and qualify for state program assistance. Unfortunately, current welfare services do not facilitate or increase economic independence among welfare-reliant women and have left many women and children of poverty without having a safety net to ensure their livelihood and wellbeing since the PRWORA has went into effect.