Backlash against Welfare Mothers: Past and Present

Praise, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication

“This is an important and provocative book that vividly exposes the historical roots and contemporary twists in antiwelfare politics. Ellen Reese forcefully reveals how politics really did matter in the long and sometimes murky prehistory to the ‘welfare repeal’ of 1996, just as politics will surely matter again in this ostensibly post-welfare era.” Jamie Peck, author of Workfare States “Reese provides a powerful analysis of the reasons why America’s poorest families are increasingly being left to struggle on their own. This book authoritatively exposes the politics that have undermined the economic human rights of this nation’s impoverished mothers and children. Reese’s careful scholarship probes deeply into the forces fueling America’s hostility toward welfare and those forced to rely upon it.” Kenneth J. Neubeck, coauthor of Welfare Racism: Playing the Race Card Against America’s Poor “This is an exhaustively researched book about changing U.S. attitudes and policies toward welfare mothers in the second half of the twentieth century. Reese richly conveys the profound human costs of the backlash against welfare for the women, children, and families who are bearing the brunt of these attacks. This is a book on a vitally important topic of great public interest. Reese breathes humanity into both the political players and the victimized welfare mothers.” David A. Smith, Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Irvine, and former editor of Social Problems “Thoughtful and extremely well researched, this book reexamines and sheds new light on the origins of the current welfare ‘crisis.’ Reese shows the tragic consequences for welfare families and calls for a New Deal for working families. This book could not be more timely.” Joel F. Handler, author of The Poverty of Welfare Reform “Comprehensive, with insightful analysis. Reese provides thoughtful policy suggestions for a New Deal for working families. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned with the plight of poor women and their families.” Jill Quadagno, author of One Nation, Uninsured: Why the U.S. Has No National Health Insurance Backlash against Welfare Mothers Backlash against Welfare Mothers Past and Present Ellen Reese University of California Press Berkeley Los Angeles London Ideas discussed in chapters 1–6 and chapter 11, and data appearing in tables 3, 4, 6, 7, and the appendices, appeared previously in Ellen Reese, “The Politics of Motherhood: The Restriction of Poor Mothers’ Welfare Rights in the United States, 1949–1960,” Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State, and Society 2001, vol. 8 (1): 65–112, and appear by permission of Oxford University Press. Similar ideas to those discussed across the book appear in Ellen Reese, “Patriarchy, Racism, and Business Interests: Cross-Class Support for Welfare Retrenchment in the United States,” in Looking Forward/ Looking Back: An Introduction to U.S. Women’s Studies, ed. Carol Berkin, Carole Appel, and Judith Pinch (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, forthcoming). University of California Press Berkeley and Los Angeles, California University of California Press, Ltd. London, England© 2005 by The Regents of the University of California Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Reese, Ellen, 1969–. Backlash against welfare mothers : past and present / Ellen Reese. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 0-520-24461-3 (cloth : alk. paper) — isbn 0-520-24462-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Public welfare—United States—History. 2. Welfare recipients— Employment—United States. 3. Aid to families with dependent children programs. 4. Single mothers—Government policy—United States. 5. United States—Social policy. I. Title. hv91.r4225 2005 362.5'568'0973—dc22 2004019546 Manufactured in the United States of America 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Printed on Ecobook 50 containing a minimum 50% post-consumer waste, processed chlorine free. The balance contains virgin pulp, including 25% Forest Stewardship Council Certified for no old growth tree cutting, processed either tcf or ecf. The sheet is acid-free and meets the minimum requirements of ansi/niso z39.48–1992 (r 1997) (Permanence of Paper). For all those forced to cope with the shortcomings of the current welfare system, and all those fighting for a better one ...