1. Welfare Policy

2. Recent Welfare Chronology
1990s
Most states allowed to experiment with work experiments and penalties
Congress passed major welfare-reform bill
Time-limits
Welfare-to-workfare
2000s – Amid historic lows in welfare cases and unemployment, Congress debates welfare reauthorization

3. “Race to the bottom”
States actually compete to see who can provide the lowest welfare benefits to their citizens
In an attempt to drive welfare-drawing poor out, states try to lower welfare payments below levels of neighboring states
Drives those who live near state lines over the border to neighboring states (so that they are now a “burden” on the other state”)

4. Framing and Welfare
Individual Frames Dominate in the Media (as opposed to societal frames)
Those who draw welfare do so because they are lazy
Society is not to blame for poverty, but rather the blame rests solely with individuals
Leads to “bootstrap” rhetoric
“If they wanted to, they could get off welfare”

5. Public Perceptions of Welfare
Welfare has become “race-coded”
When people hear the term “welfare”, they immediately think of it as a racial issue
Stereotype of “welfare queen”
Attitudes towards welfare tied to racial attitudes
Experimental design
White vs. Black welfare mother
Why does public have these perceptions?
***MEDIA***

6. How Media Portrayal Has Altered Public Perceptions of Welfare
Media heavily uses individual frames
Racial depiction of welfare recipients