Interesting Read

In my women's studies class, we have assigned readings in a book titled Women's Voices Feminist Visions put together by Susan M. Shaw and Janet Lee. There is one reading in particular that I would like to share passages from, "Flat Broke with Children" written by Sharon Hays.

"Poor mother' support for welfare reform is the single most striking indication that welfare mothers are not the social "outsiders" portrayed in the Personal Responsibility Act. Most welfare mothers share the core values of most Americans. They share a concern with contemporary problems in work and family life and a commitment to finding solutions--including the overhaul of the welfare system. The trouble is, welfare reform was founded on the assumption that welfare mothers do not share American values and are, in fact, personally reponsible for undermining our nation's moral principles. The policies and procedures instituted by welfare reform have thus been aimed at "fixing" these women."

The above passage was perfectly stated. Welfare mothers are concerned about not only their own problems but also problems that are bigger than themselves. I would love for our country to find alternate sources of energy. Most welfare mothers do care about problems in work and family life. The welfare system does need reform. In it's current state, I believe people on welfare are becoming dependent, and therefore our country needs a system that focuses on responsibility, accountability, and helping people become more independent. In the last sentence of the quote, the word fixing is used to describe what needs to be changed regarding welfare mothers. This sort of thinking is what leads to negative images and rude remarks. Welfare shouldn't have negative connotations linked to it, but rather another word for help.

"It is this failure to take account of the full measure of our interdepence that allows for the construction of 'us-versus-them' scenarios that not only demonize welfare recipients but also call into question the values and behaviors of all of us who find ourselves unable to mimic the mythological model of perfected self-reliance: seamlessly juggling our multiple commitments without ever needing to depend on our friends, families, our neighbors, or the nation to support us."

Every single person at some point needs help. As a society, we should be coming together. Whatever happened to courtesy and helping out our neighbors. I looked at the definitions of welfare and I picked one out that I like. According to WordNet by Princeton University, welfare is "something that aids or promotes well-being; 'for the benefit of all'." Help is a good thing, unless of course it's taken advantage of.

Any thoughts?