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Multiculturalism and Social Work | San Francisco State University

WELFARE LIBERALISM, SOCIAL POLICY, AND POVERTY IN AMERICA.

Author: Schwarz, John E
Author Background:
Date 1/1/90
Type Journal
Journal Title: Policy Studies Review
Volume/Pages 10(1): 127-139.
Publisher
Subject Matter Social/Public Policy and Administration
Population
Pedagogies
Abstract The conservative explanation for the persistence of poverty - that liberal social programs created it with disincentives - explains little of the poverty that exists. The conservative explanation gained acceptancebecause failed liberal antipoverty efforts have been based on a flawed understanding of the problem. Because of the oversupply of young adult workers in the 1970 s, there was a proliferation of jobs paying lowwages. Liberal programs, assuming the poor simply needed training and education, ignored the shortage of jobs paying above-poverty-level wages. Liberals also assumed that with the requisite training allAmericans have the capacity to gain the skills necessary to obtain those jobs. This assumption neglects data showing that a larger proportion of individuals with low native ability have earningsbeneath the poverty line than workers with normal ability, even when controlling for educational attainment.
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