Here are some questions discussed in class today (they would be fun to put on the next test): 1) Most welware recipients are Black 2) Most welfare recipients don't want to work 3) Most welfare recipients are young, unwed mothers 4) Most welfare recipients have lots of kids 5) Most welfare recipients blow their welfare checks on drugs 6) Most welfare recipients spend most (if not all) of their life in welfare 7) Many, perhaps most, welfare recipients have additional children so they can collect larger checks 8) When we look at government economic assistance to people, the bulk of goverment's money goes to what group? ==================================== ANSWERS 1) Most welware recipients are Black False. It's about 40 pct Black, 40 pct white 2) Most welfare recipients don't want to work False. Most are minor children. The adults generally want to work but either can't, or can't find suitable work. Many states now have "must work" laws that require recipients to find employment with a specified period of time or leave the welfare roles 3) Most welfare recipients are young, unwed mothers False. Most are children. Most reports indicate that fewer than 10 percent are unwed teenages. 4) Most welfare recipients have lots of kids False. Most welfare adults have 3 or fewer children. In fact, some studies indicate that the recipients generally have fewer than the national average. Some students have found the average to be only 1.9 5) Most welfare recipients blow their welfare checks on drugs False. While there is considerable substance abuse among the poor, mose welfare recipient simply don't make enough to support a drug habit. There is no evidence to indicate that a significant number diverts their cash to drugs. 6) Most welfare recipients spend most (if not all) of their life in welfare False. About 80 percent are on for under four years 7) Many, perhaps most, welfare recipients have additional children so they can collect larger checks False. The number of children of welfare recipients is comparable to the national average. Further, studies show no significant increase in the birthrates of mothers on welfare. 8) When we look at government economic assistance to people, the bulk of goverment's money goes to what group? Trick question (ie, GOV'T ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE is the key phrase). Senior citizens derive the bulk (social security, subsized health care, and related benefits)
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