Temporary Assistance for Needy

Families(Welfare)

Is it Advantageous or Disadvantageous?

Danielle BarnesAlva Hartry

Vivilora Thompson

Welfare As We Knew It

Due to the Great Depression of the ’20s & ’30s, a national welfare system was established under the Social Security Act.

The welfare system focused mainly on creating jobs for the masses of unemployed workers and provided federal aid for poor children and other dependent persons.

Welfare Today

In 1996, a law was passed by the U. S. Congress which was the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act known as Welfare reform.

Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC as we know it) is now known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

The welfare plan was designed to attack one of the most troubling aspects of poverty: "welfare dependency."

Welfare Today continued. . .

TANF eliminated cash assistance to welfare recipients, imposed work requirements, made sanctions against individuals and families who failed to comply, and individuals had five years to become relieved of assistance.

Welfare Reform Policy

Welfare Reform policy had three characteristics in place:

--It was to end the dependence of needy families on government benefits.

--It was designed to promote job preparations, work and marriage.

--It gave states the discretion to develop their own reform programs with the use of federal block grants.

Pro Most people who get

assistance are careful to follow the policies and procedures.

Con It encourages fraud. Illegally sell foods stamps to

buy alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

Work “on the side” without informing the department.

Non recipients live in subsidize housing for low income families.

Pro

Eliminates dead beat dads.

Con

Noncustodial parents are subject to invasion of privacy, loss wages, and jail.

Pro

Help TANF recipients survive in the workforce; therefore, boosting self-esteem.

Con

Does not provide emotional support for those who are trying to stay employed.

Pro

Recipients only need to work 30 hours per week.

Con

Does not prepare them mentally for the true hour work-week.

Pro

An anti-poverty program focuses on the needs of the working poor--good education and jobs with livable wages and benefits-- not their behavior or values.

Con People feel trapped by

a system that does not allow them to save enough money to permanently leave welfare.

Pro

Assistance is always available if people need assistance to provide for their family.

Con

Because jobs are low paying and do not offer training for advancement, recipients choose to continue to receive benefits.

Pro

It provides programs such as professional dress seminars and technical training for recipients.

Con

It does not promote or support individuals to pursue or continue post-secondary education in order to gain decent employment with fringe benefits.

Alfred, M. V (2007). Welfare Reform and Black Women’s Economic Development. Adult Education Quarterly. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from http://Ovnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.novacat.nova.edu/hww/results/results_single_ftPES.jhtml.

Cove, P.  "Privatization of Welfare Benefits Recipients." Opposing Viewpoints: Welfare. Ed. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. August 2004. Retrieved March 2, 2008. <http://www.enotes.com/welfare-article/43030>.

Edin, Kathryn and Lein, Laura.  "A Lack of Opportunities Keeps the Poor on Welfare." Opposing Viewpoints: Welfare. Ed. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. August 2004. Retrieved March 2, 2008. <http://www.enotes.com/welfare-article/43014>.

Glenn, David (2002). What the data actually show about welfare reform. The Chronicle of higher education, 48 no 41, A14-A16.

Jhirad, Susan (2006). Welfare “Reform” and One Community College. Radical Teacher. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.novacat.nova.edu/hww/results_single_fulltext.jht

References

London, Rebecca (2006). The role of postsecondary education in welfare recipients’ paths to self-sufficiency. The journal of higher education, Vol.77, no. 3.: The Ohio State University.

Morgan, Richard (2002). In debate over welfare reform, work trumps education. The chronicle of higher education, 48 no41, A24.

Payne, James L.,  "Welfare Fraud Is Widespread." Opposing Viewpoints: Welfare. Ed. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Retrieved March 2, 2008. <http://www.enotes.com/welfare-article/43019>.

Seccombe, K .  "Insufficient Welfare Benefits Encourage Fraud." Opposing Viewpoints: Welfare. Ed. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. August 2004. Retrieved March 3, 2008. <http://www.enotes.com/welfare-article/43020>.

References continued . . .

Does welfare reform help or hinder welfare recipients?

What makes you think so?

Thoughts to Ponder . . .