Societal Attitudes and Welfare Policy Developments in United States - Essay Example

?Societal attitudes directly affect an individual personality as well as a family in a broader context. A child obtains a heritage of ideas, sentiments and emotions from society beside biological heritage which he/ she receives from parents and elders. A study of Professor Freeman in the University of Chicago also declares that intelligence is also directly affected by the environment in which a child is rearing (Burgess, 2013). In most of the industrialized countries round the globe, family life is too much influenced by the attitudes of the relevant society. For example, women’s service patterns are totally related as how their family demands and society reacts. Most of the young females always tend to drop out from labor force just after they give birth to a baby. Usually, in the later stages of their life, they prefer to return to full time employment. In the mean time, while caring and nurturing baby, the mother most often prefer part- time job (Stier, Lewin & Braun). In industrialized nations, the probability of single parenting is accelerating at speedy rate. This situation has imposed challenges not only for the society but also for policy makers. This essay briefly highlights, with special emphasis on the situation in United States and European countries, as how changing trends and attitudes within a society have affected the family life and later on influenced the welfare policies. First we will take a look on the situation of United States. Societal Attitudes and Welfare Policy Developments in United States In United States, since Colonial Period, rearing and nurturing children has always been defined as an exclusive obligation for parents. State as well as society always played a role for the betterment of children. However, here it is interesting to note that public education was the only exception in the United States that was free for all. Next to public education, there were very limited resources and materials available for families to support their children. Although it is a fact that US government gives subsidies and exempt taxes especially for dependent youths. Still, there are no universal benefits available for children. The only benefit families can avail is the child’s tax. The tax payer with dependent youths can reduce the amount of their tax in this way. So far, there are no child allowances, no compulsion for maternity leave, no universal programs are offered for children. This is the reason why, in United States, Congress is engaged in making efforts to encourage appropriate parental behavior because of society pressures. Most of the politicians, keeping in view the needs of the people, are suggesting denying the assistance of those children who have been conceived at the time when mother is on AFDC- Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Moreover, those children are also not supposed to be assisted who are conceived by mothers under eighteen. Denial of aid if mother does not cooperate with the program officials or if father or mother provide false information for aid. So, the assistance by State to a family is not only tied to children’s need but parental behavior is also significant in this regard. Family welfare policies fueled up in United States in the recent past because of changing societal attitudes and demographic trends. For example, in the current day scenario, teen mothers or unmarried couples giving birth to children have been increased at drastic rate. This allowed policy makers to take a new turn while formulating new policies. Moreover, another social behavior that has influenced the overall policy structure involves the rise of fathers who are appearing to have neglected their children. Here, in this essay further, it is briefly analyzed as what are the basic reasons behind these changing trends within a society and how the issues can be slowed down or fixed. Here it will be also observed that adult behavior will be more focused in the policy interests rather than the lives and personalities of children. The data that is presented here also reflects the society influenced by adult living scenarios as well as behavior (Mauldon, 2012). As far as the demographic picture of United States is concerned in 1993, there were almost 9.3 million families headed by females having minor children. Out of these, almost 4 in every 10 were those families that were headed by a female who had never got into marriage (Steve, 1993). The overall income of a family headed by a single female was far below as compared to families headed by proper married couples. Half among these families were poor enough that they were dependant on public assistance (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1994). The current data clearly shows as how single parenting families suffer in a long run in a society. Such conditions clearly provide the rationale for policy concerns in American society. When we look at the American society, it can be easily observed by data and statistics that the changing trend of child birth out of marriage bond has risen at sharpen rate in recent decades, most often, from 1970 to 1992 (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1994). Most of the births, outside the marriage bond, can be seen in teenagers while four or five out of every ten births belong to women that are aged 20 to 24 and 17% births belong to women above 25 years of age out of marriage bond. Such non- marital births within a society give a sign that the number of unmarried women is increasing day by day. However, in 1970s, this rate was lower as compared to highest rate of 1990s when 63% of women never got married that aged between 20- 24. Current scenario is quite different having the maximum median ages at the time of first marriage for male and female that is 23.9 for men and 26.9 for women (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1992). However, since then, from 1970 onward the median ages of men and women at their first marriage have increased for complete three years (U.S. Bureau of Census,, 1992). Here we may further observe that such societal changes will have varying implications that will, surely, influence the family life of the people and policy of the State in a long run. Currently, the increase in unwed childbirth has also increased the length of singlehood for mature males and females. However, with changing childbirth patterns, teenagers are more prone to make use of birth control medications and contraceptives. With the changing attitudes of society and ongoing trends, the policies have been changed accordingly. Nowadays, half of such pregnancies- non- marital pregnancies are simply aborted in their initial stage. This option was not readily available when we look in the past- in 1970s. Moreover, single parent child and unmarried motherhood were not considered feasible in the past both socially as well as economically. Now, the approaches seem more practical for women. It is a fact that the policies have changed according to the attitudes of the people. In the current day world, in United States, better policies regarding childbirth, mother protection and family life can easily be observed. Now it is considered a debate of the past when marriages were carried out to legitimate sex and conception. A study regarding the societal behavior towards marriage in 1960s showed that almost 53% of women who were pregnant before marriage preferred to get married before childbirth. At that time, socially, it was considered that unmarried couples would have to get married later on at the time of childbirth and unmarried sex was known as premarital sex at that time. However, with the changing trends of the society and the emerging techniques to protect unmarried mothers like the use of contraceptives and abortion, the trend of legitimacy of premarital conception was getting shorter by the end of 1980s (U.S. Bureau of Census,, 1992). Below is a table that summarizes the record of the births and marriages since 1970 to 1992 for different ages of women bear children from fifteen years of age to thirty- five. Table 1: Births to Unmarried and Married Women, By Age Group: 1970-1990 Percent of Births that were to Married Women, by Age of Mother: Percent of Women who were Unmarried, by Age: Unmarried Birth Rates (Unmarried births per 1,000 Unmarried Women): Overall Birth Rates (All Births per 1,000 Women in Age-Group): Percent of Non-marital Births that were in each Age-Group: Age of Woman 1970 1980 1992 15-19 29% 48% 70% 20-24 10% 20% 41% 25-29 6% 10% 20% 30-34 7% 8% 14% 1970 1980 1992 88% 93% 95% 45% 58% 68% 24% 33% 41% 20% 23% 30% 1970 1980 1992 22.4 27.6 44.6 38.4 40.9 68.5 37.0 34.0 56.5 27.1 21.1 37.9 1970 1980 1992 68.3 53.0 60.7 167.8 115.1 114.6 145.1 111.4 117.4 73.3 61.9 80.2 1970 29% 36% 19% 10% (Mauldon, 2012) According to the above mentioned table, it can easily be observed that the fertility rates have been rising slowly and steadily in unmarried women. Between the periods of 1970 and 1980s, the fertility rates fell in most of the groups independent of their marital status. Since onward, these rates were high steadily among teenage females. Furthermore, there are two other important aspects represented by these tables- the transformation in the families in United States regarding marriage and the process of childbearing. Moreover, it also points out the increase in divorce rates during 1960s as well as 1970s. Half of such marriages come to an end very soon. As a result, more and more females are burdened to raise their children alone. Similarly, there are great numbers of males who are not living with their children and even not willing to support them financially. In the beginning of 1970s, most of the males and females were married and preferred to live in a family arrangement. However, later on, this rate goes down and currently, most of the young aged people and adult males and females are unmarried as well as childless. This rate has been increased to a greater extent and now more males are living without parents, spouses, children or any other family members (Mauldon, 2012). This phenomenon can be termed as men’s direct flight from family. It is also alarming that six out of every 10 young men, are not involved in their child rearing responsibilities. Most of these are unmarried as well. However, there might be some other reasons as well due to which they are not living in a family. For example, some are engaged on military camps and bases due to their employment requirements while others may be confined to jails or prisons. Here it is also important to note that societal attitudes in a country like America may also be based on the ethnicity of a particular group (Mauldon, 2012). It is a fact that majority of men do not prefer to live in a family, regardless their racial group. Still, there are varied differences among various ethnic groups. For example, 58% Whites and 72% Afro- Americans do not live with children in the United States. Furthermore, most of the female headship is occurred among black and white people in US (Mauldon, 2012). The gender based gap in the process of child rearing can be better observed in Afro- Americans. There are only 28% males who are living in a family arrangement with their children on full time basis. However, two third of Afro- American females are supporting their children in child rearing process. As far as young adults in Afro- Americans are concerned, there are just 37% women who are caring and nurturing their kids while men are just 5% in this regard. This societal attitude towards family life is just because of the low rate of marriages among African- Americans. The prevailing social behavior among this ethnic group is that most of the females are unmarried but they have children (Carol, 1974). Why Societal Attitude Decline Marriage in United States? In United States, demographic changes and societal attitudes have posed quite complex challenges for the policy makers. To reverse or slow down the trend of single parenting, policy makers are engaged in casting some new ways. A very preferred scapegoat is the accessibility to AFDC. However, this cannot be the ultimate solution. Continuous changes in family life, decline in marriages and the continuous increase in non- marital relation and childbearing result in a number of consequences where AFDC cannot work out well. Basically, societal attitudes towards marriage in countries like America have been drastically changed due to several reasons. Male unemployment is getting chronic allowing adults to keep away from responsibilities in term of family. Low employment opportunities and low wages result in an income that is totally inadequate in order to hold up a family life. Female indulgence in labor force at speedy and dramatic rate has greatly changed the overall marriage pattern in US (James, Sweet, & Larry, 1987). Egalitarian sort of marriage are considered more preferred option in United States as compared to the one available in the past where man was considered the breadwinner of a family. Welfare Policy Developments in United States Currently, policy measures are taken in United States to develop the institution of family. AFDC program is an effort in this regard. Through this program, cash benefits are specially offered to those women who are caring their children alone- in single parenting. However, this program is extensively believed to support divorce in the country. People prefer non- marital childbearing practice and divorce in order to avail this cash especially those living in poor income group. So, such policies further require reforms which are considered a challenge for Republicans and Democrats in USA. Next to it, some focused strategies are further required to encourage young people to attend colleges. With higher level of education, people can boost earning potential that will help them to grab employment in future. Such stability is very much required in order to start a family life. Government is trying to encourage income support programs for young adults so they can achieve peace of mind financially and social security as well (Mauldon, 2012). Societal Attitudes and Welfare Policy Development in European Country In the beginning of the twentieth century, the male was supposed to be a breadwinner and the female was expected to be a housewife. This structure of a family created a need for social security for the dependants of the male who had no direct access to the sources of income. The workers had a right to claim social benefits for themselves as well as their dependents. They might claim these benefits from the state, their employers, unions and some other institutions working for the benefits of employees. Women might claim these benefits after the death of their husbands in the form of pensions or other aids. However, with the passage of time the family structure had changed significantly. In the second half of the twentieth century, the married women involvement in employment was increased in industrialized countries. The divorce rates had also increased in Europe and America. Even in the married couples, the women involvement in employment put into question the child care which was primarily considered to be a responsibility of a housewife. Consequently, the state got itself involved in ensuring the child care. This involvement and concern of state resulted in the development of a number of policies ensuring high quality of child care while parents work. However, the policies adopted were different in different countries. For instance, in United States, the families are encouraged to seek solutions to their work-family conflicts that are market-based. The working mothers and their families are not supported financially. Only social support is deemed to fulfill the children care requirements. On the other hand, in European countries, such as Italy and Germany, the working women are encouraged to drop out from the work by granting them long paid leaves. In France, the financial support is given to the working women for childcare rather than granting lengthy paid leaves to the women. However, there are certain policies which have been developed in almost all countries. However, their structure and implementation pattern is somewhat different from one country to another. FAMILY POLICIES IN GERMANY: The German family policies are paradoxical in nature. These policies are open to family rearrangements but preference is given to traditional married family structures. Paternal Leave: German working women are allowed to 14 weeks paid and job-protected maternity leave in case of multiple or premature births. In case of normal births, eight weeks maternity leave is allowed. No deduction is made by the health insurance and 100 percent of the net earnings are paid as a benefit to the mothers. At the end of the maternity leave, paid paternal leave is allowed to the parents of the child. However, this leave may be shifted between father and mother up to three times only. The paternal leave is allowed until the third birthday of the child. The parents can work for 19 hours per week during the paternal leave. If the consent is given by the existing employer, the parents may also choose to work with another employer. The six months of the parental leave which is of two years is reserved for fathers only. The working parents are also allowed paid leave of ten days to take care of their sick child. Maximum 25 days leave is allowed per year for each individual child. Family and Child Benefit Allowances: Due to increased employment rate of women, the government has taken responsibility to compensate the working women and their families by offering them allowances in the form of child benefit allowance and family allowance. These benefits may be claimed for all children who are under the age of 18 years. If the dependants are unemployed, these benefits may be claimed up to the age of 21 years. The benefits may also be claimed up to the age of 27 years if the dependents are in training or in school. The benefits may be claimed for the whole life time of a disabled dependant. However, the payment structures in different areas differ from one another. The payments of allowances and benefits may be lower in states where living costs are low (Tulane University, 2004). Child Care: As a source of provision of further child care, the legislation has also entitled each child aged from three to six years to be admitted in kindergarten. However, most of the children are admitted in part-time center which is also relatively expensive and offering five hours each day without lunch. These timings also conflict with the working hours of the parents. The German child care plan only focuses to the provision of high quality education, supervision and care to the children. It is not much interested in the facilitation of maternal employment (Henneck, 2003). Marriage and Cohabitation: The average rate of first marriage for woman is 27.7 years while it is 30.1 years for men. The contemporary couples are unwilling to get marry and delay having children. Thus, Germany has changed the definition of a family in order to design and develop new policies. ‘A family is where children are’ has come up as an updated definition of a family. The cohabiting partners are also allowed to live in a marriage like relationship. However, the traditional marriage relationship is given privilege in the form of joint tax filings which is not allowed for cohabitants and other forms of living. Divorce: The divorced women face a lot of hardship in Germany. The rate of poverty of single mother families is 39.1 percent in Germany. However, the overall country poverty rate is 7.1 percent. Thus, the poverty rate is considerably higher in divorced families than the poverty rate as a whole (Henneck, 2003). References 1. Burgess, A Mead Project Source Page. (2013) Social Attitudes. [Online] Available from: http://www.brocku.ca/MeadProject/Young/1931/08_Burgess.html. [Accessed: 5th December 2013]. 2. Stier, H., Lewin- Epstein, N. & Braun, M., Welfare Regimes, Family- Supportive Policies, and Women’s Employment along the Life- Course. [Online]. Available from: http://people.socsci.tau.ac.il/levin-epstein/uploads/editor_uploads/files/welfare_regimes__family_supportive_policies_and_women_employment....pdf. [Accessed: 5th December 2013]. 3. Mauldon, Santa Clara University. (2012) Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. [Online] Available from: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/other/lawreview/familychange.html. [Accessed: 6th December 2013]. 4. Steve, W., U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Report. (1993) Household and Family Characteristics. at 92 tbl. P. 420- 477. 5. U.S. Bureau of Census, Statistical Abstract of the United States. (1994) at 471 tbl. 718 & 479 tbl. 80 tbl. 6. U.S. Bureau of Census, Current Population Reports. (1992) Households, Families and Children: A 30 Year Perspective. P 23- 181. 7. Carol, B. (1974). All Our Kin: Strategies for Survival in a Black Community. United States of America: Basic Books Publication. 8. James, A., Sweet, & Larry, B., American Journal of Sociology. (1987) American Families and Households. United States of America: Russell Sage Foundation. 9. Henneck, R., Council on Contemporary Families. (2003). Family Policy in the US, Japan, Germany, Italy and France: Parental Leave, Child Benefits/ Family Allowances, Child Care, Marriage/ Cohabitation, and Divorce. [Online] Available from: http://www.contemporaryfamilies.org/work-family/fampolicy.html. [Accessed: 7th December 2013]. 10. Tulane University, Germany Country Summary. (2004) Germany. Family and Child Allowances. [Online] Available from: http://www.tulane.edu/~rouxbee/soci626/germany/_pbaliga/familyandchildallowances.htm. [Accessed: 5th December 2013]. Read More