Ethical challenges facing single mothers in public assistance programs

¶ … social group, there are going to be issues that many members of the group will have in common. While at the same time, there could be issues that highlight the overall differences between the different groups of people involved in a particular program. In the case of those families that are involved in various public assistance programs such as welfare, the similarities and differences between the groups can be confusing. In order to indentify those moral issues that were most important to those who are in this program, the article Society for the Study of Social Problems has indentified different problems / ethical issues that are faced by respondents. To fully understand the overall scope of the challenges faced by this program, the authors conducted a study by looking at the obstacles faced by women in Boston, Chicago and San Antonio. Where, the lives of: Latinos, African-Americans and Caucasians were examined. (Dominguez, 2003) as a result, the authors were able to identify a number of different issues facing single mothers and women who are involved in this program. It is through examining these different issues that were identified; that will provide the greatest insights as to what are the biggest ethical challenges facing recipients and the program.

Gaining Access

The way that researchers were able to gain access was to interview five different families from each ethnic group. All of the recipients were women that were receiving some form of public assistance, who had children. The respondents were chosen by visiting various community outreach programs and interviewing possible families, among the general public. To identify what issues were most important to the different families; researchers would interact with them through: various government programs monitor their daily activities and attending family / social functions with respondents. Then, a series of one on one interviews would take place at the home of respondent, where researchers would ask what aspects of the program were most frustrating to each family. Together, these different elements provided the greatest insights as to what challenges were facing many of those recipients of public assistance. (Dominguez, 2003)

Establishing Relations with Members

To establish relations with members, the authors conducted this study between 2000 and 2001. Where, there were a series of different interviews that took place, as the time and location that were most convenient to respondents were taken into account. The idea was to make everyone as comfortable as possible, so that they could freely discuss what are the most common issues. (Dominguez, 2003)

Critique and Integration

The article identified several ethical issues that could affect someone's ability to be able to successfully improve their standards of living these would include: the constant renegotiation of the living arrangements and the ability of respondents to cling to old social support networks. In all of the families surveyed, researchers discovered that many families / friends will form social support networks. This is when the different family members will live together in the same household and pool their different resources together. The problem arises, in that the various family / social members will have to constantly renegotiate living arrangements. This is problematic, because such volatile living conditions can mean that recipients are not focused on improving their standard of living. Instead, they become caught up in petty disputes because of this constant renegotiation. The dilemma arises where there are no alternatives for people who are on this program as they are forced to between social support groups or the program itself. Where, the program can provide assistance to individuals such as: moral support. However, if economic conditions change, they face the possibility of budget cuts. While the social support groups, provide constant renegotiation between members. As a result, many recipients who are receiving various forms of public assistance are caught between two different forms of support, none of which can provide them with what they need to improve their lives. (Dominguez, 2003)

Another ethical issue that is faced by respondents and the program is: embracing the destructive support groups / relationships of the past. One of the biggest problems that researchers identified is: that many people that can help improve their standards of living. The problem is that many individuals will continue to engage in the same patterns of destructive behavior as before. For example, some single mothers who were in abusive relationships in the past, continued to become involved in these kinds of relationships. This is despite the fact that many wanted out of these relationships and had the ability to change their lives, yet they continued to stay in these relationships. This is problematic because it underscores how the views of the social group can influence the behavior of the individual. Where, they know they should stop such behavior, yet are reluctant, for out of fear of change or the inability to let go of the past. This brings up the ethical issue, as to what is the most appropriate amount of support? Where, you want to help those who need it the most, but at the same time each individual has to help themselves first. (Dominguez, 2003)

Clearly, the article Society for the Study of Social Problems has identified two ethical issues faced by welfare recipients and the program itself. These would include: the constant renegotiation of the living arrangements and the ability of respondents to cling to old social support networks. This is significant because it helps to identify what issues could be hindering the economic mobility of those who are in this program. As a result, this useful in identifying some of the underlying weakness that still exists, despite the fact that various reforms have taken place. It is through examining the different ethical issues presented; that provides the greatest insights as to what challenges are faced going forward.