In twelve pages this paper examines whether or not TANF should be changed regarding the 5 year lifetime limit imposed. Eleven sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: LM1_TLCTANF.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
light of the fact that the program was instituted as a transitory timetable meant to help people get onto their financial feet, the quest to maintain the current 60-month limit
is being sought as a means by which to discourage system abuse. Critics of the five-year lifetime limit, however, contend it is not feasible for many reasons, with two
of the most prominent being the issues of multi-child families and the mental and/or physical disabled. II. BOTH SIDES Whether or not
welfare reform has been beneficial in the United States is not a question that can be answered with a simple yes or no. There are a number of variables
that must be taken into consideration before an accurate assessment of such impact can be made. The debate surrounding TANF and its five-year lifetime limit is one that speaks
to the need to encourage otherwise nonproductive members of society to become more instrumental in their own well being. Urging people to become less and less dependent upon the
system has, indeed, helped some states in their ongoing attempt to stay ahead of the game; however, critics claim that removing a familys TANF aid without there being a solid
alternative support system in place for their continued survival is doing nothing more than pushing its already financially compromised members deeper and deeper into poverty.
Research tends to support those who want the limit by indicating that, for example, Californias system reform has proven two key beliefs that have to do with welfare
issues: money serves to be a significant motivator for mothers who are on welfare, and "subsidizing irresponsible sexual behavior has accelerated the moral and cultural decline" (Marshall, 1995, p. PG)