Reviews

An important original contribution and one that offers provocative insights into the current welfare reform debate. -- Deborah A. Stone "New Republic"

Illuminating...skillfully written and well-documented. -- Frank F. Furstenberg "New York Times Book Review"

Particularly timely and instructive...thoroughly documented, balanced and often absorbing...Perhaps it will help us to take another look at the current thinking about both the needs and the rights of the poor before harsh, punitive policies critically injure children and their families for generations to come. -- Ruth Sidel "Nation"

An important original contribution and one that offers provocative insights into the current welfare reform debate. -- Deborah A. Stone "New Republic"
Illuminating...skillfully written and well-documented. -- Frank F. Furstenberg "New York Times Book Review"
Particularly timely and instructive...thoroughly documented, balanced and often absorbing...Perhaps it will help us to take another look at the current thinking about both the needs and the rights of the poor before harsh, punitive policies critically injure children and their families for generations to come. -- Ruth Sidel "Nation"

Claiming in this cogent, timely study that the Social Security Act of 1935 has failed ``to protect its citizens from the cruelties of capitalism,'' Gordon (Woman's Body, Woman's Right) concerns herself here with the increasing number of minority, stigmatized, single mothers inadequately covered by the Aid to Dependent Children. The ADC, a stepchild, she alleges, of the Act's provisions, resulted in ``stratification of programs'' which ``deepened the already existing social inequalities.'' This stratification was further exacerbated by low wages for women, creating an underclass of the ``hopelessly poor.'' Welfare reform, Gordon suggests, must address the needs of both children and mothers, offering income support for single parents, while also helping mothers make the transition to becoming ``workers supported by wages'' and by day care, adequate parental leave policies and medical insurance. Gordon is a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin. (Sept.)