Welfare and Domestic Violence

Welfare:

The image above displays one stereotype that a welfare participant has to deal with. I am ashamed to admit that I believed in the stereotypes about welfare. After reading the article by Rita Jenson I had a change of heart. The image society has of welfare participants is an African-American mother who is unemployed, promiscuous, poorly motivated, and lazy (exploding the stereotypes by Rita Jenson pg. 232.)  

            First let’s tackle the fact that welfare is considered an African-American woman’s problem instead of a woman’s issue (pg. 230.) The largest percentage of welfare recipients are white women. I found this surprising because the media portrays welfare in a completely different way. Another problem is not taking in account that most welfare families consist of one parent and two children (pg. 231.) As a single mother who needs to support two children her income might not be enough to cover the cost of living.

            In the article Rita Jenson stated, “three-fourths of participants are or have been in an abusive relationship (pg. 232).” An abused woman is more likely have left her abuser with limited funds to support her children. Why should society treat an abused woman as a criminal? However, that is exactly what society does. Every penny they have is calculated and monitored. I found an article about New York using finger printing to identify food stamp recipients. It is not a criminal offense to receive food stamps but society makes it feel criminal by identifying recipients by using the same system as we do for criminals.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/opinion/food-stamps-are-not-a-crime.html?_r=1&ref=welfareus

Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence is a pattern or coercive tactics used to maintain power and control over an intimate partner (Understanding Intimate Partner Violence by Michele Melseon pg. 497.)  I am not surprised that before the 1970’s domestic violence was considered a private family matter that was not discussed (pg. 497.) Thankfully, the Woman’s Movement changed that idea.

            The article explains tactics that an abuser uses to maintain power and control over their victim. Isolation is frequently the most used tool and abuser uses (pg. 498.) Without friends, family, or a job the victim is left without emotionally finical support to leave their abuser. Emotional and physical abuse is also powerful tactics an abuser uses. I think the best way to explain what an abuser does to their victim is using the power and control wheel. After reading the power and control wheel please watch Susan’s story of domestic violence. In my opinion it is very hard to miss how the power and control wheel compares to what Susan went through.

Susan's Story

            I believe that domestic violence agency services and police have come a long way since the 1970’s. Shelters and mandatory arrests in domestic situations have improved for helping domestic violence victims. I just do not believe it is as helpful as we wish it to be. Police and agencies have limited resources. Shelters are often on an emergency bases and maximum of 30 days.  30 days is not enough time to gather money for a place to live. It takes an average of seven times for a victim to leave their abuser. When resources run out it is most likely that they return to their abuser. Yes, the help for domestic violence victims have improved but is still so limited.