Stereotypes and Stigma: What's Changed for Welfare Mothers

Abstract

In the debate on welfare reform, stereotypes of women on welfare have resurfaced, and most proposals for reform are designed to modify and regulate women's behaviors. This article, based on information obtained in focus groups of recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children, examines how women manage the stigma of being welfare mothers and what they think about "cheating" the system. The most striking difference between recipients of the 1990s and of the 1960s is the belief of current recipients that they are entitled to governmental support as long as they are attempting to better their own lives.

Attitudes Toward Never-Married Single Mothers and Fathers: Does Gender Matter?

“…Thus, their children struggle not just economically but in other aspects of life as well. Additionally, the findings from the AWSP are consistent with the literature on single mothers who receive welfare, which suggests that the economic status of a mother is related to the perceived quality of parenting she provides (Davis & Hagen, 1996;Jarrett, 1994Jarrett, , 1996McCormack, 2004).…”

“…If these negative attitudes indeed exist, it is necessary to examine them because research has shown that individuals who internalize stigmas associated with negative societal views are more likely to feel shame, which may lead to psychological distress (Furåker & Blomsterberg, 2003;Schmader, Johns, & Forbes, 2008). More specific to the current study, negative societal views have been shown to lead to a sense of hopelessness, depression, shame, and low selfesteem among custodial single mothers (Davis & Hagen, 1996). Furthermore,…”

“…Historically, research on single mothers has focused almost entirely on views about single mothers who are welfare recipients (Cahill, 2005;Davis & Hagen, 1996;Jarrett, 1994Jarrett, , 1996McCormack, 2004). However, there is a small but growing body of literature that examines societal views about single mothers outside the context of welfare (Ganong & Coleman, 1995;Ganong et al, 1988).…”

“A Black Benefit”: Racial Prejudice Among White Welfare Recipients in a Low-Income Neighborhood

“…The element that distinguishes their perceptions from those of recipients interviewed in other recent studies (Davis & Hagen, 1996;Nelson, 2002;Seccombe & Battle-Walters, 1998;Tickameyer, 2000) is their use of race to understand their perceptions of problematic interactions within the system that administers welfare benei'its. As was found in the studies noted, women in this study were well aware of the negative popular images of welfare recipients and of the stigma associated with receipt of the benefit.…”

“…They characterized their own use of the benefit, however, as necessary to make ends meet during a period of difficulty, typically brought on by a lack of supports such as childcare or assistance from their children's fathers. Another study found that recipients justified their use of welfare as a stepping stone while engaging in education or other measures to improve their lives (Davis & Hagen, 1996). Again, women tried to distance themselves from the stereotypical welfare cheat.…”