Realities of Life Before and After Welfare Reform

Abstract

This article presents a case study of four women of color who were facing the welfare reform of 1996. The women narrate how they grew up and came to be on welfare, their on-going struggle in and out of welfare, their current life realities as they cope with welfare reform, and their recommendations for welfare reform. Eventually, two of these women leave while two others remain in the welfare system. The article compares and contrasts these four narratives, and applies choice, expectancy, class-culture, and social support theories (Bane and Ellwood, 1994; Edin and Lein, 1997) to arrive at a framework that explains their welfare exit/stay. The article recommends social work interventions in welfare policy, program, and practice contexts.