Rhetoric and reality of work-based welfare reform

The argument presented in this article is that although work is one path to ward improved well-being for poor families, a successful and humane social welfare policy must recognize and respond to its limitations. The prowork r hetoric surrounding current efforts to move women from welfare to work rest s on at least three propositions: Work is the norm, work is good for famili es, and work leads to self-sufficiency. The article reviews empirical evide nce on each of these propositions and concludes that many former welfare pa rticipants will earn low wages in unstable employment and will require a br oad range of supports to move from welfare to self-sufficiency and improved family well-being.