Blog #10: Working Poor Women's Unpaid Labor

The Welfare Reform, also known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 was put into place by President Clinton. This caused a shift in the methods that cash would be given to the public as well as the goals of the welfare program. The program is no longer an entitlement program, and recipients are having to give back in order to qualify for these programs. For example, once you have received federal benefits, you are required to start working after two years. There is also a lifetime cap of 5 years for federally paid benefits on the program. The program is really aiming to minimize out of wedlock births and show the importance of having a stable situation before getting pregnant. Since this program has been in effect, the rates of people on welfare have decline significantly. These new programs really are helping our community gain the confidence and skills they need to be able to succeed in our world today.

In this program, many mothers in Chanudry's study had to adapt to the new "rules" of this program. They had to be flexible in terms of jobs, timing, etc. They also had to make their work schedules fit around their child care schedule. They had to utilize their money and work subsidies to qualify for center based child care. Many attended classes and seminars on a weekly basis that were required, to find out new opportunities for work and to gain skills to enter the work field. However, these classes uncovered some common trouble that these women have been having, especially those who are pregnant. They discussed the hardships of obtaining a job while they were pregnant because their employers are hesitant to hire them for a short period of time and have them leave once the baby is born (if this is even their reality). Chaudry's study really disproved the common stereotype that these women on welfare are lazy and stupid and they are unable to find jobs. Unfortunately, they try and try almost every day of the week and are not able to find jobs. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act requires a certain number of hours per week dedicated to searching for a job.

Chaundry's recommendations are as follows: 1) Government should increase funding for children's programs and unify the system; 2) Create policy that acknowledges single mothers in today's working world; 3) Work for society in which cycle of poverty can be broken; and 4) Make the system simpler - build up systems, coordinate across programs and educate children. I think that Chaundry's recommendations fall very closely in line with the program that President Clinton put into place. They are asking for something in return for federal funding, putting focus on these single mother's and giving them the tools to empower their children. One of the articles talked about the impact that a mother going to work everyday has on a child living in poverty. It really helps to break the "mold".

The opportunity for these women to be able to not only gain the experience and tools they need to get a great job and to support their family but to get the assistance they need at the same time is a much better program that the Welfare program that was being used before this act. Before, the women on the program were looked at as stupid and lazy because the government wasn't requiring them to do anything but collect on welfare. That is not the solution to the problem. Allowing these women to collect without bettering themselves and their families is a problem. The current system really empowers women and brings them together to provide them the opportunity to get that great job, and also be backed up by an entire class of women in their same situation to support them. The time restraints that they have put on the program also act as a motivational tool for these women to get out into the working world and succeed the best they can. The new goals of the program will help better our community.