Paternalistic Regulation of Women: Exploring Punitive Sanctions in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

Abstract

S. welfare policy coerces low-income women into low-wage jobs by imposing punitive sanctions for not working, despite the lack of supporting evidence that sanctions are effective. This qualitative study explored whether sanctions compel compliance, whether there are unintended consequences of sanctions, and what causes noncompliance. The findings indicate that noncompliance is not always chosen but results from insurmountable barriers. Furthermore, sanctions may create a communication "disconnect" between clients and the welfare agency, rendering the clients further entrenched in poverty and dependence. Implications for research and policy are discussed.

Peddling Poverty for Profit: Elements of Oppression in Ruby Payne's Framework

“…Scholars have bemoaned the motivations for and effects of paternalistic approaches for addressing a host of social ills, from poverty among people with disabilities (Stapleton, O'Day, Livermore, & Imparato, 2006) to racism (Proweller, 1999) and sexism (Rainford, 2004) to disparities in educational access (Epstein, 1987). In the case of class and poverty, such approaches flow from two interlocking, and often conflictual, attitudes among the socioeconomically privileged.…”

Frontline Welfare Work: Understanding Social Work's Role

“…In Iowa, 30% of sanctioned clients did not understand system rules (Fraker, Nixon, Losby, Prindle, & Else, 1997). In California, clients expressed a "communication disconnect" between themselves and the welfare agency (Rainford, 2004). More than anything else, clients expressed a need for a caring, trustworthy, and reliable worker.…”

“…Although many sanctioned clients met work requirements, they often did not submit necessary documentation by the deadline or workers lost the paperwork. In California, all sanctioned clients who were interviewed were trying to find work formally through the welfare office or informally on their own (Rainford, 2004). Well-intentioned clients mean that workers should provide clients with individualized guidance to help them meet TANF requirements and, eventually, self-sufficiency.…”

Poverty, Public Assistance and Single Mothers

“…family, marketplace). Social welfare policies and programs in the US have a history of being punitive with mothers for being poor (Abramovitz 1988;Gordon 1994Gordon , 1988Rainford 2004). Cash aid, food stamps and public health care assistance for families was originally an entitlement program enacted as a part of the 1935 Social Security Act and known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).…”