Welfare Policy Recent Welfare Chronology 1990 s Most

Welfare Policy

Recent Welfare Chronology • 1990 s – Most states allowed to experiment with work experiments and penalties – Congress passed major welfare-reform bill • Time-limits • Welfare-to-workfare • 2000 s – Amid historic lows in welfare cases and unemployment, Congress debates welfare reauthorization

“Race to the bottom” • States actually compete to see who can provide the lowest welfare benefits to their citizens • In an attempt to drive welfare-drawing poor out, states try to lower welfare payments below levels of neighboring states – Drives those who live near state lines over the border to neighboring states (so that they are now a “burden” on the other state”)

Framing and Welfare • Individual Frames Dominate in the Media (as opposed to societal frames) – Those who draw welfare do so because they are lazy – Society is not to blame for poverty, but rather the blame rests solely with individuals • Leads to “bootstrap” rhetoric – “If they wanted to, they could get off welfare”

Public Perceptions of Welfare • Welfare has become “race-coded” – When people hear the term “welfare”, they immediately think of it as a racial issue – Stereotype of “welfare queen” – Attitudes towards welfare tied to racial attitudes • Experimental design – White vs. Black welfare mother • Why does public have these perceptions? – ***MEDIA***

How Media Portrayal Has Altered Public Perceptions of Welfare • Media heavily uses individual frames • Racial depiction of welfare recipients