Past research has focused on attitudes toward public spending on welfare. This study is unique in that it will focus on Americans views toward welfare restrictions. As we examine history we see that the welfare state has imposed many restrictions on its recipients. Such as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 with the creation of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) required for the first time that mothers work in exchange for public assistance and time limits. These restrictions are based off the belief that recipients are lazy and have to learn to become independent and self sufficient, but what about external forces? What about high unemployment and low wages, how will they be independent if society at large is not offering opportunities for them to make a living?

The first research question asks, “Are those respondents who believe that Blacks and Hispanics are lazy more likely to favor work requirements and reducing benefits on welfare?” second, “Are those respondents who believe that poverty is caused by a lack of effort by the poor more likely to favor work requirements and benefit reductions on welfare” third, “Are those who believe that income should be determined primarily by work more likely to favor work requirements and benefit reductions on welfare?  And lastly, “What is the effect of demographic versus attitudinal variables on attitudes toward welfare?”

The data is a correlational study because it aims to analyze variables, the dependent variables being support for work requirements and reducing welfare benefits. The hypothesis is “public’s demographic membership (i.e. race, gender, and class) significantly affects their attitudes toward minorities, the poor, and work, which in turn impacts their support for welfare restrictions.” The type of data are reports of acts and demographic data. The data analyzed was from the General Social Survey of 1990 which was collected from interviews of US households conducted by the National Opinion and Research Center. The date was analyzed through logistic regression models. The findings revealed reinforcing work ethic are the reasons for work requirements on welfare regardless of the respondents class, race, and gender. The study overall aimed to see if  demographic variables have an effect on one’s views on welfare restrictions. However work ethic is such a fundamental part of our society that it drives social policy such as welfare.
Harris, C. A. (2002). WHO SUPPORTS WELFARE REFORM AND WHY? Race, Gender & Class, 9(1), 96. Retrieved from http://0-search.proquest.com.books.redlands.edu/docview/218870408?accountid=14729