The Poverty of Welfare: A Long-Term Examination of the Effects of Welfare Reform

Welfare reform has been a hot topic of debate in the United States for decades. Proponents of welfare reform argue that it is necessary to reduce government spending and encourage people to work. Opponents of welfare reform argue that it hurts the poor and does not lead to long-term employment.

The Poverty of Welfare: Helping Others in Civil Society

by Michael Tanner

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Language	:	English
File size	:	114784 KB

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This article takes a long-term look at the effects of welfare reform. We find that welfare reform has had a number of negative consequences for the poor, including increased poverty, homelessness, and hunger. We also find that welfare reform has not led to long-term employment for most recipients.

The History of Welfare Reform

The welfare system in the United States has undergone a number of changes over the years. The first major welfare program was the Social Security Act of 1935, which created the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. AFDC provided cash assistance to single mothers with children.

In the 1990s, there was a growing consensus that the welfare system was not working. Critics argued that AFDC was too generous and that it discouraged people from working. In 1996, Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA),which overhauled the welfare system.

PRWORA replaced AFDC with a new program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF provides time-limited cash assistance to families with children. TANF also requires recipients to work or participate in work-related activities.

The Effects of Welfare Reform

The effects of welfare reform have been mixed. On the one hand, welfare reform has led to a decrease in the number of people receiving welfare. On the other hand, welfare reform has also led to an increase in poverty, homelessness, and hunger.

Increased Poverty

One of the most significant effects of welfare reform has been an increase in poverty. In the years since welfare reform was implemented, the poverty rate has increased for families with children. In 2017, the poverty rate for families with children was 16.2%, compared to 12.8% in 1996.

There are a number of reasons why welfare reform has led to an increase in poverty. First, welfare reform has reduced the amount of cash assistance that families receive. Second, welfare reform has made it more difficult for families to qualify for assistance. Third, welfare reform has required families to work in order to receive assistance, which can make it difficult for families to find and keep employment.

Increased Homelessness

Another negative consequence of welfare reform has been an increase in homelessness. In the years since welfare reform was implemented, the number of homeless people in the United States has increased. In 2017, there were an estimated 553,000 homeless people in the United States, compared to 395,000 in 1996.

There are a number of reasons why welfare reform has led to an increase in homelessness. First, welfare reform has reduced the amount of cash assistance that families receive. Second, welfare reform has made it more difficult for families to qualify for assistance. Third, welfare reform has required families to work in order to receive assistance, which can make it difficult for families to find and keep housing.

Increased Hunger

Welfare reform has also led to an increase in hunger. In the years since welfare reform was implemented, the number of people who are food insecure in the United States has increased. In 2017, there were an estimated 40 million food insecure people in the United States, compared to 30 million in 1996.

There are a number of reasons why welfare reform has led to an increase in hunger. First, welfare reform has reduced the amount of cash assistance that families receive. Second, welfare reform has made it more difficult for families to qualify for assistance. Third, welfare reform has required families to work in order to receive assistance, which can make it difficult for families to find and keep employment.

The

Welfare reform has had a number of negative consequences for the poor. It has led to an increase in poverty, homelessness, and hunger. It has also not led to long-term employment for most recipients. It is time to reconsider welfare reform and find a better way to help the poor.

The Poverty of Welfare: Helping Others in Civil Society

by Michael Tanner

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	114784 KB

FREE