The Nation's Welfare: Growth of Welfare Programs in the United States
The Social Security Act of 1935 launched a number of educational and job training initiatives that were administered by the states. Funding was also set aside for individual benefits: food stamps, subsidized housing, and Aid for Families with Depend...
The Nation's Welfare: Countering the Transmission of Poverty from Generation to Generation
"Poverty," says Joel Handler, "is the biggest predictor of all the things we ascribe to welfare": poor school performance, poor health, poor employment prospects. The focus is on "punishing the adult and we are not paying attention to the consequenc...
The Nation's Welfare: Contrasting Attitudes of Europe and America Toward Social Welfare
Few policy issues facing government officials incite greater controversy than questions related to the country's responsibility to assist those in need. Guest commentators Michael Sandel, Seymour Martin Lipset, and Joel Handler draw distinctions bet...
The Nation's Welfare: Gap Between Rich and Poor Widens
The gaps between rich and poor is widening, not only in the United States but around the world. Many people are working more than one job and still find it difficult to make ends meet. Often they do not have the necessary training and education to g...
The Nation's Welfare: Court and Public Assistance Programs, The
The court has placed its imprint on public assistance programs by correcting the disparities in welfare benefits among states. Most of the cases that have come before the court era were clear examples of discrimination against African Americans. Wha...
The Nation's Welfare: Two Divergent Tiers of the American Welfare State, The
As the number of people on welfare roles increased, concern over the cost of public assistance programs grew. By contrast, investment in social insurance programs that benefit the middle class were politically popular, nationally uniform, and immune...
The Nation's Welfare: Public Backlash Against Public Benefit Programs
Public backlash against public benefit programs continued to grow throughout the course of the 1970s, '80s and '90s. Some advocated eliminating the system entirely or at least subjecting it to major reforms. At its height the total amount spent on w...
The Nation's Welfare: Beginnings of Social Support in the United States
The fierce individualism that has marked this nation since its inception focuses on hard work and self reliance rather than dependence on the state. Contemporary welfare started in the early 20th century with state programs like the Mother's Pension...
The Nation's Welfare: Welfare Reform
Congress responded to public pressure to reduce federal involvement in welfare programs by passing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act just prior to the 1996 election. This legislation replaced AFDC with a more limited program known...