Failed Family Assistance Plan
In 1969, President Nixon began a welfare program titled the family assistance plan or FAP. The feature in this plan that was different from previous plans was that it was designed to help welfare families that helped themselves. In other words, those who qualified for welfare that worked more, were helped more by this plan. Quadagno argues that by giving assistance to low income black males and those females who are giving birth, the family assistance plan is reinforcing male domination over females, and a continuation of white control of the labor force. While Quadagno makes that arguement, she then states that there is evidence that if there is enough of an economic gain through this plan, then it will have the opposite effect. She seems to be somewhat riding the fence on the issue in the introduction.
Quadagno proceeds to spend many pages discussing the three dominant views of the U.S. welfare state. The mass turmoil thesis, in which relief programs are initiated and contracted as the unemployment rate goes up or down. Elite dominance which states that the state acts because the ruling class tells it to. The power resource theory iwhich states that in certain circumstances that working class can use the state to help offset the market inequality.
These statements are all refuted at the end stating that Nixon's failed plan contradicts them. Some feminists believe that welfare plans are a way for continued male domination. The feminists do have a few good points that help confirm that theory in the FAP. By giving aid to working males, and childbearing females, it encourages the view that the men should be in the workforce and the women should stay at home.
Discussion Questions:
1. What parts of the FAP help confirm feminists belief that welfare plans are a way for continued male domination?
2. What are the three dominant theories in regards to the formation of the U.S. welfare state, and how do they differ?
Comments
Feminists have found various ways in which welfare legislation makes women dependent on men. Nixon's FAP encourages the nuclear family to have more children as family size affects benefits. This, in turn, encourages women to stay at home, out of the labor market, and have more children. Staying at home makes their employment more unstable and thus employers are more reluctant to women as the economic price of training may result in a loss if the woman shortly leaves the labor force to have another child. Also, income is linked to the male, whose role is defined as the breadwinner and head of the household. FAP specifically worked to place black males in this role, again discouraging women from entering the workforce. Up to a point, women can bring in earnings without losing benefits, but their role is primarily childbearer/homemaker.
The three dominant Theories are Mass Turmoil Thesis, Elite Dominance Theory, and Power Resource Theory. The mass turmoil theory is about powerless groups only being a threat when societal or state legitimacy is in question. The state responds to capitalist social order with welfare programs where necessary to maintain balance. The elite dominance theory is about the ruling class directing the state. The power resource theory is about the working class using the state for capital interests through political resources. All three include class struggle, but neglect to mention the roles of gender and race.
Posted by: Angela | April 16, 2007 7:12 PM
Quadagno made some very good points in her article. I was very fascinated with the argument that the FAP welfare plan is one way for male dominance to remain present in our culture. After reading the article, I would have to agree that the program reinforces gender inequality. Some of the major problems with the program were stopping family benefits if men lived in the same home as the women, basing benefits on the size of the family and basing individual benefits on family income. There are so many problems with this program. We are encouraging women to have many children to increase benefits but at the same time we are forcing them to stay away from men to maximize their benefits.
To understand the information presented, I found it is easier to look at a personal example. Just recently my cousin separated from his girlfriend. They have a child together and since the separation they have decided to share custody of their adorable little girl. Although they both have the child an equal amount of time, his girlfriend is receiving welfare benefits to support the child. As the text stated, women receive most of their benefits based on their family status, whereas men receive most of their benefits through employment. The system continues to give priority to women who have children and remain unemployed. As I read the article, the argument seemed to fit my cousin’s particular situation. Not only does the FAP program promote male-dominance but also it keeps fathers from being able to play the role of a stereotypical caregiver.
Posted by: Lacey | April 20, 2007 12:32 PM