So You Think I Drive a Cadillac?: Welfare Recipients' Perspectives on the System and Its Reform

by Karen Seccombe

Welfare Recipients, U.S. Social Studies, Public Welfare, U.S. Reform, Poor Women

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology

Paperback

First published September 3, 1998

About the author

1998-present, Professor, Department of Sociology, Portland State University

1992 - 1998, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Florida
Associate Research Scientist, Institute for Health Policy Research, University of Florida

1988 - 1992, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Florida
Assistant Research Scientist, Institute for Health Policy Research, University of Florida

1986 - 1988, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Alaska Anchorage

Reviews

[Jus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for both supporters and critics of Bill Clinton’s disastrous welfare reform of the 90s. Temporary Assistance for Needed Families (TANF) has sabotaged the poor. They’re damned if they work (immediately losing benefits such as Medicaid) and damned if they don’t. I am going to kick Bill Clinton’s a**.

NOTE: Multiple chapters were assigned this week for my social welfare policy class so I am listing it as read for now. I’d like to return to this book in the future!

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is totally worth reading as a budding social worker in the making. About the only downside to reading this, and my experience with the book, is that I am reading the first edition that came out in 1998. That being said, all the numbers and statistics are grossly inaccurate and difficult to picture unless someone like me is magically able to recall what life and the economy was like circa 20 years ago.

Its interesting to read the comments and considerations of persons that are actually on welfare. Its interesting to hear how they maneuver the system to tailor to their needs even though the practice themselves still leaves them grossly under water in terms of financial "stability".

I walked away thinking about how beneficial it would be for inflation to apply towards welfare benefits. I work in a nursing home and for people on disability, the amount of money each resident receives as part of an allowance, remains the same dollar amount they have been receiving since the 70's and 80's. In those days, $30 would last a while. In our modern times, $30 is barely able to pay for a phone bill. It is a share to see that politicians on the right do little, if anything, to effect the amount of welfare income any given person may receive.

Several decent arguments are made in support of the concept to raise the minimum wage and how it can have a true effect in stimulating the economy, this being another concept that conservative politicians always argue against.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who is either entering into a field which deals with the social welfare system, or for those who lack an understanding of what the system is really like. This book is a true eye opener, setting the record straight regarding the stereotypes which are assigned to those engaging in the welfare system.

[Amanda Mengel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reference this book constantly. This should be standard reading in public schools.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really puts welfare recipients' situations into perspective. It personalizes their situations and gives insight into the kind of people that recieve welfare. It's a good book for people that just can't understand "what kind of people" are on welfare.

[Amyrstoddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This blew my mind!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent look into the day-to-day existence of single mothers who receive government aid.