Paradox Of Welfare Reform

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The Theory of Paradox as it relates to Poverty and Welfare Reform Hayley Maxson Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Schools of Graduate & Professional Programs Couples and Family in Society MFT613 Julie A. Zaloudek, Ph.D. November 20, 2011 The Theory of Paradox as it relates to Poverty and Welfare Reform Many changes were brought about by the welfare reform in 1996. The purpose of the welfare reform, according to Congress, was to “end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage” (Hays, 2003). The welfare reform introduced the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) which changed the previous welfare system. There seems to be two different…show more content…
Welfare will no longer be needed if the welfare office can train mothers to value work and self-sufficiency and former recipients of welfare will become respectable, “mainstream” workers (2003). Along with self-sufficiency this model seems to highly regard independence, which has become “associated with the values of citizenship, self-governance, and full social membership in the Western culture” (2003). The principles of self-sufficiency and independence in this model are simply transformed into paid labor for the women on welfare (2003). In order to become self-sufficient and independent these women are supposed to find paying jobs to support their families even if they are low paying jobs. There are a few problems with the rationale of the Work Plan. First, the low paying jobs that are typically available to women are welfare offer neither financial independence of the independence associated with the sophisticated standards of American citizenship (2003). Secondly, this model seems to forget that the target group of welfare is mothers with children who are dependent upon them. These women cannot become independent to the degree that the welfare system wants them to be since they also need to continue to care for their children and therefore they cannot reach the level of self-sufficiency that the law asks of them (2003). The above is what work values look like in welfare reform, but what about…show more content…
She used both empirical and anecdotal evidence to illustrate her points. She did not just state her opinion; she backed up her statements with interviews with caseworkers and actual welfare clients. I thought her writing to be informative. I also believe that comparing two different cities added more strength and depth to her work. Readers were able to see that the injustices that Hays spoke of were apparent in both welfare offices, which helps the readers see that there is a pattern. At times I felt that Hays was ranting and raving more than trying to inspire people to truly look at the welfare reform for what it is and how it impacts those in the system. I do not deny that that she wants to reveal the injustices in the welfare system; however I question her motivation for revealing the injustices; was it just to inform and educate people or to hopefully encourage change in regards to the welfare
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