In this essay, Elizabeth, a struggling mother of three, realizes that the "reformed" welfare system put in place to assist them may not be as helpful as it is supposed to be. Many of the middle class people in America think that welfare is providing too much, while the poor class, who are on welfare, believe that welfare is not doing enough. From Boo's essay, and from other experiences, do you think welfare is doing too much or not nearly enough? Are there flaws in the system that prevent it from providing any relief?
Also, do you think that children put in the situations that Elizabeth's kids find themselves are at a disadvantage as compared to kids growing up in middle class neighborhoods?
5 comments:
I think that welfare can do more for people. For example in the essay, welfare should help more so single mothers in this case Elizabeth in the essay so that she can spend more time with her kids. In most case people who receive welfare have 2 or more jobs and they are still too poor and they are giving up spending time with the family.
Of course children in the same situation as Elizabeth’s children are in disadvantage with middle class kids; this is because they don’t have the attention they need and they basically are growing up on their own and the children take responsibilities that are too much for their age like taking care of their brothers and sisters as if they were parents. Another disadvantage is that they don’t have the economic resources to get what they need like healthy food because the children cook and they can only make ramen noodles or grilled cheese which are not healthy meals, they are also not able to afford good clothes nor the tranquility of living in a good neighborhood where no violence exists. All these disadvantages cause low self-esteem children, teenage pregnancies, etc.
Welfare is a good system that helps people get on their feet again. However, I do think that in some cases it is possible that it is taken advantage of. The children of each neighborhood choose the way they spend their time, so ultimitely anyone could get into any sort of trouble. However, it does seem as if the risk is greater in Elizabeth's neighborhood.
Welfare could definitely do more for people, but there realistically is not enough money to go around for everyone. Welfare is an excellent idea to help those in poverty, but it can't be expected to lift everyone to a high standard of living.
Children who find themselves in poverty are undoubtedly at a disadvantage. They often find themselves in households where they do not receive attention from their parents, or in many cases, parent. If the children are going to school, it is likely not up to the same educational standards that most other schools are held to. Finally, the children are more likely to slip into trouble because it constantly surrounds them and because they may know nothing else.
I cannot claim to be an expert on the welfare system. I have never been on welfare, so I cannot act as if I know what it is like. However, based on Elizabeth's experiences, improvements certainly can be made. The one thing that welfare does is that it treats all the people in the system the same. Maybe that is the problem. No two people are alike. Everybody is special and unique, with different needs and backgrounds. Therefore, any attempt to standardize what everybody needs is only somewhat effective. I think that to fully aide and equip people struggling with the proper necessities needs to be done on a more personl, one-on-one level. Perhaps instead of to governmental program, the funds should be distributed to churches and other private organizations to cater to people on a more individual basis.
I think the only real way welfare will help is to provide a better education.
But I don't really ever see government run schools making a major difference.
It's pretty hopeless, really.
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