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Welfare reform: from illusion to reality.
1School of Social Work, San Diego State University, CA.
Social Work
|March 1, 1990
Summary
US welfare reform, linked to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), saw significant changes in 1988. These reforms reflect a conservative shift emphasizing personal responsibility in social welfare policy.
Area of Science:
- Social Policy
- American Politics
- Sociology
Background:
- Welfare reform in the US is primarily associated with the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program.
- Previous reform attempts since the 1960s did not substantially alter the AFDC program until 1988.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the substantial changes to the AFDC program enacted in 1988.
- To examine the ideological underpinnings of the 1988 welfare reform.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of legislative changes in the AFDC program.
- Examination of the cultural and ideological context surrounding welfare policy.
Main Results:
- The 1988 welfare reform marked a significant alteration of the AFDC program.
- The reforms indicate a broader ideological shift towards conservatism in American social welfare policy.
- Emphasis on reciprocity, productivity, and familial responsibility characterizes the new policy direction.
Conclusions:
- The 1988 welfare reform reflects a conservative ideological shift in US social welfare policy.
- Despite reforms, significant social welfare issues remain unresolved.