
Welfare Transformed
Universalizing Family Policies That Work
Robert Cherry(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 22. August 2007
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-19-518312-2 (ISBN)
Description
In the ten years after President Clinton made good on his promise to "end welfare as we know it" by signing the reform act of 1996, the number of families on welfare dropped by over three million. This hotly contested legislation has fueled countless hyperbolic arguments from both sides of the political spectrum rather than a clearheaded examination of the actual results of the reform. Robert Cherry steps into the fray with a story that differs sharply from both conservative and liberal critiques. He portrays the women who left welfare as success stories rather than victims, and stresses the many positive lessons of the policy initiatives that accompanied the reform without downplaying the problems it created. The result is an eye-opening look at the ground-level repercussions of welfare policy changes, developments that have been overshadowed by partisan politics for too long.
Anchored by solid economic research and policy background, Welfare Transformed comes alive with revealing interviews of key members of the Clinton Administration, directors and staff at welfare-to-work programs and community colleges, and - most importantly - welfare leavers themselves. Cherry carefully explains the factors (racial, social, economic, generational) that spurred and shaped the reform, and moves past partisan rhetoric in his review of its effects. Instead, he pays attention to concrete data and real people's experiences that combine to provide a full account of the legislation's aftermath. Armed with this new view, Cherry offers a range of strong suggestions for transforming successful welfare policies into universal family policies, from strengthening federal economic supports for working families to improving our community colleges. A refreshing take on a lightning-rod subject, this book is certain to foment heated discussions among all who read it.
Anchored by solid economic research and policy background, Welfare Transformed comes alive with revealing interviews of key members of the Clinton Administration, directors and staff at welfare-to-work programs and community colleges, and - most importantly - welfare leavers themselves. Cherry carefully explains the factors (racial, social, economic, generational) that spurred and shaped the reform, and moves past partisan rhetoric in his review of its effects. Instead, he pays attention to concrete data and real people's experiences that combine to provide a full account of the legislation's aftermath. Armed with this new view, Cherry offers a range of strong suggestions for transforming successful welfare policies into universal family policies, from strengthening federal economic supports for working families to improving our community colleges. A refreshing take on a lightning-rod subject, this book is certain to foment heated discussions among all who read it.
Reviews / Votes
This is a welcome addition to the literature on welfare reform...Cherry is refreshing...Highly recommended. * Choice * ...[A]rguable, engaging, and thought provoking. * Journal of Family Social Work * Different analysts might use different threads or patterns in weaving different tapestries to describe the welfare reform story. Cherrys integration of research findings, political perspectives, and workers personal accounts is presented in a way that gradually and surely leads the reader to the best part of his policy tapestry: his recommendations for the future. * Social Service Review *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Illustrations
6 line cuts
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-518312-2 (9780195183122)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
08/2007
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€8.99
Available for download

E-Book
08/2007
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€8.99
Available for download
Person
Robert Cherry is a Koppelman Professor of Economics at Brooklyn College and a research associate at the Economic Policy Institute. He has written widely on the economic aspects of discrimination and related policy issues, including affirmative action, immigration, and federal tax subsidies for workers. His most recent books are Who Gets the Good Jobs?, Combating Race and Gender Disparities and Prosperity for All, African Americans and the Economic Boom.
Content
PART ONE: SETTING THE STAGE FOR REFORM ; PART TWO: MEASURED SUCCESSES ; PART THREE: MOVING FORWARD