ISSUE GUIDES: Poverty and Welfare

PUBLIC VIEW: PEOPLE’S CHIEF CONCERNS
  • More than half of Americans say dealing with the problems of poor and needy people should be a top priority for Congress, but...
  • Nearly six in ten people agree that the nation has failed to live up to its ideals as long as there are so many poor and...
  • Almost half of Americans say that government programs aimed at the poor are not making an impact, but they are divided on...
  • More than half of Americans say drug abuse, medical bills, and a decline in moral values are major causes of poverty, but...
  • Half of Americans say the possibility of becoming poor worries them at least a little
  • Six in 10 Americans say that most poor people work, but don't earn enough money
  • Majorities of Americans say the government bears responsibility for the needy, but they are divided on whether the...
  • Half of Americans know of the 1996 changes to the welfare laws
  • The vast majority of those who know about the welfare reform say it works well because of the work requirement
  • Eight in 10 Americans say there are jobs available for welfare recipients who want to work, but many also say those jobs...
  • Americans are divided on whether welfare recipients really need the help
  • More than half of Americans say welfare encourages women to have more children
  • Lower-income and less educated Americans are more concerned than others about people taking advantage of welfare
  • Two-thirds of Americans say they have taken action in the past year to help the poor
  • Large majorities—including those in welfare families—believed the old system needed change
  • The public—including whites, blacks, and people from welfare families—said they thought that the old welfare...
  • People resented the values of the old welfare system more than its cost