Stresses the need to align policy with what is known about the importance of certain behaviors in reducing poverty and inequality, focusing on ideology versus reality; the importance of work; behavior as a matter of choice versus opportunity; the influence of marriage on poverty; and how public policy can prevent a widening of the country's…

Discusses various viewpoints on poverty. Contrasts progressive-era politics with today's dependency politics. Differing views of the poor and the causes of poverty impede the implementation of the new paternalistic programs which have, in some places, begun to succeed. Urges a consensus. (DM)

Relates the origin and aims of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) begun in 1972. It has failed to improve the health of newborn children or lower the infant mortality rate, because these problems relate to behavior rather than lack of food. Prenatal care and medical intervention are more appropriate…

Discusses the research on illegitimacy in the United States and welfare's role in promoting it. The author examines where analysts agree and disagree in the debate and concludes with a discussion concerning black illegitimacy rates compared with the rise in welfare payment amounts. (GLR)

Investigates the impact of welfare reform legislation, discussing reasons for declining enrollment and examining: welfare's rise and fall; the end of welfare as it always existed; hassles of being on welfare; influence of the strong economy and rising wages; research on declining enrollment; leaving welfare without working; other sources of…

Describes the impact of Wisconsin Works (W-2), a work-first welfare reform effort that has created significant welfare enrollment reduction. While critics claimed it would devastate inner cities, poor families are faring better. W-2 built on diversion and incentives, opening up welfare administration to competition. Despite many successes, W-2 has…

Examines subgroups of the homeless population and their needs for shelter. Argues that governments and charities should make distinctions among the highly diverse groups of the homeless and cease providing unlimited and unconditional aid to the able bodied, which tends to ensnare youth in the culture of dependency. (FMW)

While the principles of progressive taxation and the welfare state have come to be almost universally accepted, it would be a serious error to infer that American policy has ever embraced the idea of income redistribution. (Author)

Argues that virtually all welfare-policy change since 1961 has served not to perfect a mechanism that would simplify the system and minimize the costs of public charity but to recognize and relieve dependency; the lesson is that reform follows reality. (Author/JM)

L. Ku supports the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program as effective in improving children's health. D. Besharov and P. Germanis reiterate their earlier criticisms that the program is less effective than commonly believed and that research evidence about its effectiveness is flawed. (SLD)

Discusses the definition, size and composition, and growth of the underclass. Suggests the following policy directions: (1) invest in children; (2) provide support for families who want to move out of the ghetto; and (3) replace the welfare system with income support more closely tied to employment. (FMW)

Explores the increasing paternalism of American social policy in light of welfare reforms that require the government to supervise poor citizens to ensure that they comply with requirements for assistance. Reviews the development of paternalistic programs and the prospects for a future that requires less government supervision with more help from…

Discusses the development of social policy since 1901, with special emphasis on the War on Poverty. Analyzes the relationships among poverty, social norms, and family structure. Outlines the problems of the new social condition, characterized by drug abuse and welfare dependency. (FMW)

Proposes a social child-support program based on taxes on earnings (deductions from wages) of absent parent rather than voluntary or court-determined payments enforced by law. Summarizes principal benefits of such a system and notes that proposed system is being tried out in several Wisconsin counties now. (CJM)

Advocates renewal of the settlement house tradition in the inner cities, tracing the history of the settlement movement, and illustrating contemporary settlement approaches in St. Louis (Missouri), Cleveland (Ohio), New York City, and Boston (Massachusetts). Settlements offer a way to provide organization in disorganized communities. (SLD)