Welfare Challenges

Improved Essays
In the readings this week the authors summarize the main challenges of welfare states on both a macro and micro level. The authors have identified and explained long-term and recent differences between in the challenges of the system.
In Garfinkel, I., Rainwater, L., & Smeeding, T. (2010) (ch8) the authors addressed three main challenges that American welfare system must address in order to maintain its sustainability. Those three challenges are: (1) formulating senior insurance programs that are economically sound; (2) universal health care; and (3) restraining rising health care costs and restoring a concrete education system for children. Formulating or reorganizing the existing Social security system to meet the needs of the growing senior
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Waldfogel looks at several different external and internal factory’s the influence the success of children rearing. For example Waldfogel states, “ a hundred years ago, there was little to no discussion of “quality time”, and many children spent long hours on their own or with their siblings. Today’s parents set higher standards for their parenting, valuing quality time and providing much more one on one care”. Waldfogel also takes a look at how government and employer policy or the lack of may shape the development of children. Much of the stress that families face around effective child rearing are rooted in many of the factors discussed by …show more content…
Waldfogel and McLanahan considered the following three factors as contributors to work and family stress; Employer needs and capacities, rising shares of women in the work force and an increase in the elderly population. With the increasing pressure of job insecurity many families face a quiet daunting dilemma and unless there is policy support to help balance load families will continue to struggle at balancing both. For example as stated in the text “ Simply put U.S. work and family policies have not bee updates to reflect the new reality of America family life”. The need to create a strong structural support system is necessary for the long term well being of a

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