Welfare Reform on the Web (May 2004): Social Security - Overseas

CHANGES IN LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: DO WELFARE POLICIES MATTER?

G. Acs and S. Nelson

Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Vol. 23, 2004, p.273-290

The paper uses data from the 1997 and 1999 rounds of the National Survey of America's Families to examine the relationship between state welfare policies and the living arrangements of low-income families and children. Results from a multivariate difference-in-difference-in-differences model suggest that more effective collection of child support and family cap policies are correlated with declines in single parenting and increases in dual parenting.

PLACING DIGNITY AT THE CENTRE OF WELFARE POLICY

C.K. Chan

International Social Work, Vol. 47, 2004, p.227-239

The author begins by defining human dignity. It involves guarding one's self-respect while accommodating the self-respect of others. Dignity is associated with equal rights, self-respect, the exercise of free choice, and enjoying the respect of others. The author goes on to show, using Hong Kong as a case study, that social security reforms such as workfare attack the human dignity of claimants.