This is the message women on welfare are receiving today. The philosophy is to end government's role and let people take care of themselves. One way to limit government's role is by cutting welfare services. This shift to emphasizing work might be good. According to the new book, No Shame in My Game by Katherine Newman, poor people prefer working for low wages to being on welfare.
High value is accorded the Protestant work ethic.
The trouble is many workers are poor. Although some of the decline is due to a strong labor market, welfare reform accounts for one-third of the reduction. What we don't always know is how former welfare recipients are faring. Most states have not collected such data. Many working poor families who qualify for food stamps and health insurance through Medicaid do not know they are eligible for these supports.