Negative Effects of the Welfare Reform Act on Single Mothers and Their Families

Abstract

The welfare reform can be seen in every developed country as part of government's initiatives for the betterment of its people. The United States government passed Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act or PRWORA in 1996 with an aim or eliminating the welfare dependence of people and reducing poverty by offering different programs. The new welfare system was a combination of previous different welfare programs and implemented across the country with the help of state governments. This system brought various changes to the American society but also started a debate about its success. This paper aims to discuss the negative effects of the reform on single mothers and families.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

United States Welfare Reform in 19965

Intention of the Welfare Reform Act5

Changes that PRWORA Brought6

Goals of the Welfare Reform Act7

Implementation of Welfare Reform Act7

Negative Impacts on Single Mother and Families9

How Successful Was Welfare Reform?11

Conclusions11

References14

Negative Effects of the Welfare Reform Act on Single Mothers and Their Families

Introduction

Most of the governments of developed countries introduce welfare system to provide assistance and relief to their people in need. Countries in west have a moderate system of welfare that provide assistance to their nationals in terms of finance, health care, employment and training, and through other effective programs (Ziliak, 2009). No doubt, it is government's responsibility to implement and manage welfare system to take better care of its people. However, it is also important to know that every welfare initiative also comes with some pitfalls and success of any government's welfare system needs efficient monitoring as well as real time adjustments. In fact, welfare system is not an easy thing to implement and handle as they need huge financial and human resources. In addition, it would not be wrong to say that welfare system can be seen as a complex system that government implements for the betterment of its people (Collins & Mayer, 2010).

Further, there is no doubt about the fact that main purpose of any welfare system is to provide aid to poor and needy segment of society. This means, any pitfalls or failures of the welfare system results in huge distress not only in needy segment but also in government and other stakeholders. The federal government introduced a gigantic reform policy and passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in 1996 (Ziliak, 2009). The aim of the welfare reform act of PRWORA was to decrease personal and family dependency on government and moving people from welfare to work in order to improve existing welfare system of the country. This paper aims to discuss the legislation and implementation of the welfare reform act. The paper will also look at the downside or failures and success as well as evaluate the effects PRWORA brought to single mother and families.

United States Welfare Reform in 1996

The welfare system in the United States before 1996 is found to be the result of President's policy on poverty (Ziliak, ...