Faces of Poverty : Portraits of Women and Children on Welfare

Most Americans are insulated from the poor; it's hard to imagine the challenges of poverty, the daily fears of crime and victimization, the frustration of not being able to provide for a child. Instead, we are often exposed to the rhetoric and hyperbole about the excesses of the American welfare system. These messages color our perception of the welfare problem in the United States and they close the American mind to a full understanding of the complexity of family poverty. But who are these poor families? What do we know about how they arrived in such desperate straits? Is poverty their fate for a lifetime or for only a brief period? In Faces of Poverty , Jill Duerr Berrick answers these questions as she dispels the misconceptions and myths about welfare and the welfare population that have clouded the true picture of poverty in America. Over the course of a year, Berrick spent numerous hours as a participant-observer with five women and their families, documenting their daily activities, thoughts, and fears as they managed the strains of poverty. We meet Ana, Sandy, Rebecca, Darlene, and Cora, all of whom, at some point, have turned to welfare for support. Each represents a wider segment of the welfare population--ranging from Ana (who lost a business, injured her back, and temporarily lost her job, all in a short period of time) to Cora (who was raised in poverty, spent ten years in an abusive relationship, and now struggles to raise six children in a drug-infested neighborhood). And as Berrick documents these women's experiences, she also debunks many of the myths about welfare: she reveals that welfare is not generous (welfare families remain below the poverty line even with government assistance); that the majority of women on welfare are not long-term welfare dependents; that welfare does not run in families; that "welfare mothers" do not keep having children to increase their payments (women on welfare have, on average, two children); and that almost half of all women on welfare turned to it after a divorce. At a time when welfare has become a hotly debated political issue, Faces of Poverty gives us the facts. The debate surrounding welfare will continue as each of the 50 states struggles to reform their welfare programs, and this debate will turn on the public's perception of the welfare population. Berrick offers insight into each of the reforms under consideration and starkly demonstrates their implications for poor women and children. She provides a window into these women's lives, brilliantly portraying their hopes and fears and their struggle to live with dignity. Over The Course Of A Year, Berrick Spent Numerous Hours As A Participant-observer With Five Women And Their Families, Documenting Their Daily Activities, Thoughts, And Fears As They Managed The Strains Of Poverty. We Meet Ana, Sandy, Rebecca, Darlene, And Cora, All Of Whom, At Some Point, Have Turned To Welfare For Support. Each Represents A Wider Segment Of The Welfare Population - Ranging From Ana (who Lost A Business, Injured Her Back, And Temporarily Lost Her Job, All In A Short Period Of Time) To Cora (who Was Raised In Poverty, Spent Ten Years In An Abusive Relationship, And Now Struggles To Raise Six Children In A Drug-infested Neighborhood). And As Berrick Documents These Women's Experiences, She Also Debunks Many Of The Myths About Welfare: She Reveals That Welfare Is Not Generous (welfare Families Remain Below The Poverty Line Even With Government Assistance); That The Majority Of Women On Welfare Are Not Long-term Welfare Dependents; That Welfare Does Not Run In Families; That Welfare Mothers Do Not Keep Having Children To Increase Their Payments (women On Welfare Have On Average Two Children); And That Almost Half Of All Women On Welfare Turned To It After A Divorce. At A Time When Welfare Has Become A Hotly Debated Political Issue, Faces Of Poverty Gives Us The Facts. Introduction: Living Poverty -- What Is Welfare? The Development Of Welfare ; Welfare As Intended Versus Welfare In Practice ; Myth And Reality ; What Is The Problem? -- Ana: Caught In Circumstances Beyond Her Control. Living On A Budget ; One Day Can Change A Life ; I Don't Belong On Welfare ; The Fragility Of American Prosperity ; Managing Poverty ; Shelter From The Economy -- Sandy: Working But Poor. Teenage Pregnancy: The Fastest Way To Poverty ; Low Income And Sick Children: A Bad Combination ; Afdc As A Disincentive To Work ; Carrots And Sticks To Go Back To Work ; Moms Can't Work Without A Child Care ; Working And Just Getting By ; Make Him Pay ; Securing A Future -- Rebecca: Motivation And A Fighting Spirit. Not Makin' It ; Lousy Odds For A Decent Future ; Beating The Odds ; Getting By On Welfare ; Welfare As A Means To An End -- Darlene: Complex People, Complex Problems. Chaos Inside And Out ; Slipping From Middle-class Dreams To The Underclass ; Self-esteem, Mental Illness, Abuse, And Neglect ; Middle Class? Underclass? Categorizing Class ; Pain And Redemption Through Parenthood ; Afdc As An Opportunity For Self-improvement -- Cora: A Portrait Of Dependency. Welfare Stereotypes ; Welfare As A Way Of Life ; The Culture Of Poverty ; Poverty And The Burdens Of Poor Health ; Poverty And The Underground Economy ; No Way Out ; Training And Education To What End? ; A Grim Future For The Children -- Finding A Better Way. The Many Faces Of Poverty ; Reforming Welfare: Current State And Federal Initiatives ; Beyond Welfare: Affirming Children And Families -- Appendix: Study Methods. Jill Duerr Berrick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 167-211) And Index.