Regulating the Lives of Women: Social Welfare Policy from Colonial Times to the Present

by Mimi Abramovitz

This important book looks at the changes in AFDC, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance, and welfare "reform." This new edition reveals how welfare policy scapegoats women more than ever to justify widespread retrenchment and to divert the public's attention from the real causes of the nation's mounting economic woes.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Social Work

428 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

Reviews

[Paul Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book looking at our welfare state and the manner in which it has been used to subjugate women.

[Jacqueline Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting but also somewhat repetitive. First half was definitely more interesting than the 2nd half.

[Susannah Petitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting historical perspective of welfare and the patriarchy. wish she had given more solutions instead of just laying out problems

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

cleaning out some things and came across a classic. Our Nation is FILLED with a history of laws, policies and institutional bias based upon gender [among other things]. We really seem to be going backwards in time with current rhetoric and advocacy perported to be based on Christianity.

Women's concern is not "male bashing" nor "religion bashing". Its self-advocacy regarding continued efforts at regulating the lives of women.

[butterbook · Rating 2 out of 5]

good on the historical. also good on the analysis. personally, i found it boring because i didn't find much new information. also abramovitz is kind of a boring writer. i'm probably not the best person to review this book, actually.i'd say if you have no or little background in feminism andor political economy it would be a good read? who knows.

[Victoria Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

Packed full of information, history and analysis. I do wish that Abramovitz hadn't left organizing til the very end (and then only briefly mentioned it). I would have loved to read about how people tried to challenge repressive regulations around mothering, poverty and aid programs from the very early days of the colonies until present day.

[Nico Harlakenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good. up for grabs.