Ethical Issues That Surround the Welfare System
Ethical Issues that Surround the Welfare System
Daniel Pexton
SOC 120
Instructor: Sherri Boyd
May 11, 2012
Ethical Issues that Surround the Welfare System
In the last 15 years the welfare system has gone from a government run system, to a state run function. This actually promotes a better welfare system that is in favor of all who are involved, including the tax payers whom ultimately fund it. Creating a program that helps prevent drug use while on welfare, and promoting families to find jobs helps everyone in the long run. The real ethical dilemma comes from the effects on families who are on welfare, and have it taken away due to time constraints. Ethical concerns created by welfare affect the families on welfare, as well as the tax payers whom fund the program. The state run programs are attempting to create fairness for all involved in the process and those who support the program. Some of the concerns come from the government having the ability to control someone’s life; being able to tell someone how to spend their money, time and efforts. If the choices made are not satisfactory to the state, then they will take away the welfare benefits. The virtue ethics theory is the most beneficial to this program; with the ethical egoism contrasting it. Welfare programs are now run by the individual states, with varying stipulations per state. Most of the changes have promoted families to obtain jobs, and to stop receiving welfare, to curb the use of multiple children for more benefits, and to prevent money from being used for drugs.
Many states now have a time limit on how many months you are allowed to stay on welfare. There is a federal law for the amount of months those on welfare are allotted; however, many states have extensions. “The 60 month time limit on federal assistance applies nationwide, but not all families are subject to the limit. The survey of states found that about 55 percent of all families currently on welfare are subject
Daniel Pexton
SOC 120
Instructor: Sherri Boyd
May 11, 2012
Ethical Issues that Surround the Welfare System
In the last 15 years the welfare system has gone from a government run system, to a state run function. This actually promotes a better welfare system that is in favor of all who are involved, including the tax payers whom ultimately fund it. Creating a program that helps prevent drug use while on welfare, and promoting families to find jobs helps everyone in the long run. The real ethical dilemma comes from the effects on families who are on welfare, and have it taken away due to time constraints. Ethical concerns created by welfare affect the families on welfare, as well as the tax payers whom fund the program. The state run programs are attempting to create fairness for all involved in the process and those who support the program. Some of the concerns come from the government having the ability to control someone’s life; being able to tell someone how to spend their money, time and efforts. If the choices made are not satisfactory to the state, then they will take away the welfare benefits. The virtue ethics theory is the most beneficial to this program; with the ethical egoism contrasting it. Welfare programs are now run by the individual states, with varying stipulations per state. Most of the changes have promoted families to obtain jobs, and to stop receiving welfare, to curb the use of multiple children for more benefits, and to prevent money from being used for drugs.
Many states now have a time limit on how many months you are allowed to stay on welfare. There is a federal law for the amount of months those on welfare are allotted; however, many states have extensions. “The 60 month time limit on federal assistance applies nationwide, but not all families are subject to the limit. The survey of states found that about 55 percent of all families currently on welfare are subject
References: Bloom, D., Ferrell, M., Fink, B., & Adams-Ciardullo, D. (2002). Welfare Time Limits, State Policies, Implementation, and Effects on Families. Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Service, Washington, DC. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://www.mdrc.org/publications/51/overview.html Cohen, A. (2011, August 29). Drug Testing the Poor: Bad Policy, Even Worse Law. Retrieved from Time: http://ideas.time.com/2011/08/29/drug-testing-the-poor-bad-policy-even-worse-law/ Dinkel, C. (2011, April 13). Welfare Family Caps and the Zero-Grant Situation . Cornell Law Review. Retrieved from http://legalworkshop.org/2011/04/13/welfare-family-cap Farrell, M., Rich, S., Turner, L., Seith, D., & Bloom, D. (2008). Welfare Time Limits An Update on State Policies, Implementation,and Effects on Families. MDRC. Retrieved from http://www.mdrc.org/publications/481/overview.html Hilderbrandt, E., & Ford, S. (2009, November). Justice and Impoverished Women: The Ethical Implications of Work-Based Welfare. Policy Politics Nursing Practice, 10(4), 295-302. doi:10.1177/1527154409359328 People Support Mandatory Drug Tests for Welfare Recipients. (n.d.). (FOX News) Retrieved from Public Agenda: http://www.publicagenda.org/charts/people-support-mandatory-drug-tests-welfare-recipients U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation: http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/isp/waiver2/table3.htm#N_1_ Welfare Reform: Family Cap Policies. (2009, July). Retrieved from National Conference of State Legislatures: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/human-services/welfare-reform-family-cap-policies.aspx