Even though both the United States and other western powers are characterized by some homogeneous political policies, it is clear that they might be different in the societal perception of social life. In most of the cases, the difference is caused by the societal structural beliefs and individual inculcations of the environmental issues. Even though most of the poor people in the welfare societies are blaming their economic statuses on the circumstances beyond their control, most of the rich people have a contrast in that they believe the situation is caused by the factors of poor people not doing enough.
Taking the case of America and European countries such as Sweden, differences can be spotted in their assumptions of the welfare of families. Being an American, Aunt Carol would look at this case from a different perspective depending on her political leaning. It should be realized that in the United States, political ethos plays big roles in societal assumptions. In case Aunt Carol subscribes to the conservative political ideas, it is possible that she will look at this case as the help for Colleen to be a private endeavor in which an individual citizen should take charge of the situation and come for the aid of the poor. On the same note, it is possible that she will be interested in seeing that there is an education for the poor to change their behaviors.
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Looking at it from the perspective of liberal ideologies which aunt Carol might be inclined to, there is more to the single mother being given help. She will call for Colleen to be helped as it will create a level playing ground for everybody. Again, it will be probable for her to insinuate that the help is a public responsibility. For Theo who is a European, the discussion will be more inclined to European standards. It will be possible for Theo to think that help is an entitlement. Also, there should be no erection of barriers from both the government and other societal factors.
There are sociological theories which dictate how societies operate. In most cases, there are differences in how these theories affect societies. Just like in the case of societal assumptions, these theories differ in their applications in different countries and continents. These theories dictate how poverty will arise in a given system or a country. Through the use of sociological theories, there is an explanation of how societies and individuals might find themselves in different social classes. Taking the case of the discussion between Theo and Carol, it is possible to pinpoint the reason for their differences in explanation and approach to the issue of poverty.
These sociological theories are categorized into three groups that are the individual perspective, cultural perspective, and structural. In the case of the American situation, the rise in welfare dependency and poverty among some American citizen might be linked to the conflict theory of poverty. In this case, the conservatives in the United States might blame the individuals on their own poverty. With this theory, there is the elucidation that the people who find themselves within the poverty bracket are responsible for their state. It tells that each person is responsible for their own wellbeing and that they should take care of their situations by working hard to achieving a better life. In the same scenario, the Americans through their liberal views might blame the situation on structural theory perspective. With this theory, there is the belief that some members of the society are poor because of the structural functions which bar some members of the society from achieving their goals.
However, taking the case of Theo with the fact that he is from Sweden, there is a likelihood that an individual who fails to perform their roles might be inclined to structural theory perspective. In this situation, Theo is likely to blame the state of poverty on structural issues. The setting up of the structural functionalities and constructions with the help of individual harboring is responsible for the state of poverty in some societies.
In the delivery of services by governments, there are differences in regard to both the United States and European countries. There are services such as the provision of welfare and public engagements such as security and basic needs. There are recommendations that the government should expand the federal government funding program in unemployment insurance coverage ( Edin & Lein,1997). These services in most cases are inclined to the assistance of the poor people in these two societies. The services include unemployment insurance, universal healthcare, pensions, post-secondary education, and subsidized housing. There is are differences in characteristics of these services, for instance, in the United States these services are marked by stigma, time limits and there is the perception that these services are privileges from the government. On the side of the European societies, the perception about these services is that everybody is entitled to help and services. Also, there are no time limits as the services are permanent. On the same note, there are no blames and barriers. These perspectives about service delivery in these two societies are likely to influence the way the government will deliver these services to people.
Taking the case of European countries like Sweden where Theo is a citizen, there is the point of the government providing these services without a modicum of stigma. On the same note, there is a need for the government to work without giving blames on the people in terms of conditions. The provision of these services should be permanent. Thus, there is an expectation of no limits on the deliveries. However, the perspective in the case of the United States is different. This is due to the fact that there are punitive actions in case of delivery problems. The service delivery is marked by challenges of stigma and blames. The most striking thing is that the services are not permanent to mean that the deliveries are targeting different situations. Because the United States government is viewing the delivery of these services as the privilege, there are chances that they might withdraw from their deliveries.
Part II
The need for welfare is different in the United States following the sharp political differences in ideologies. These ideologies are categorized as conservative or liberal. The beliefs and responses from these two political factions are likely to influence the need for welfare. Taking the case of conservatives, there is the opinion that people should suffer the consequences of their actions. Again, there are the beliefs that the system is working well and that the people should take charge of their responsibility. In addition, there are beliefs that too many services are likely to increase the levels of dependency. With these beliefs from the conservatives wing, it becomes apparent that there is minimal support for the welfare such as the one sought by Colleen. It becomes essential that people are aware of these political standings to ensure that there are no political conflicts. In contrast to what the conservatives opine, it is clear from the liberals that the help is important for the creation of a level playing field for all the people in the United States. The liberals’ perspectives are likely to promote the needs for welfare in the United States.
With these above contrasting views, it is possible that there will be shaping up of the service delivery for instance in the way the welfare is given out. The conservatives are likely to delve into the ideas advocated by the United States policies such as the perception that the service delivery is a privilege to the people receiving it. The liberals are likely to be guided by the European models of service deliveries such as the service delivery being an entitlement for all. On the same note, the services are seen as treatments. With these beliefs, it is true that liberals are likely not to discriminate the people depending on the welfare system. It is important to note, however, that these two political groups have some things which are common. For instance, the general population values individualism and work ethics.
Part III
In our class, several theories were presented which are aimed at justifying the major causes of poverty that is currently being very predominant in our society. These theories include individual, cultural, and structural with each holding its point of view.
The individual theory of poverty advocates that individual is fully responsible for his poverty situation. In this theory, politically conservative theoreticians entirely blame individuals in poverty for being pioneers of their own problems due to their failure to work hard in life (Lewis, 2017). Consequently; this theory further ascribes poverty to have been caused by a lack of genetic qualities such as intelligence that in most cases are not so easily reversed. The moralizing perspective also justifies this by highlighting that the poor are basically afflicted with the mark of Cain in the holy book and they are meant to suffer.
The cultural theory, on the other hand, advocates that poverty is basically created by the transmission mainly over generations of a set of beliefs, values and above all skills which are socially constructed but in most situations, they are individually held. It, therefore, highlights the critical idea that people are not necessarily to blame this is because they are just victims of their dysfunctional subculture or culture at large (Bradshaw, 2007). For example, by the time most of these slum children are around seven years, they have already absorbed the underlying attitudes and values of their subculture hence making them unready to take full advantage of the changing affair of things.
The structural theory of poverty advocates that poverty is caused by how our different structures in our economy are organized (Bradshaw, 2007). For example, failure to have a system that addresses the needs of the elderly or even the disabled will translate into many remaining very poor. Good governance as a political perspective is very important in this situation as it will help in shaping these structural institutions.
The major difference among these theories is that individual focus on an individual effort and recognizes failure to work hard as the major cause. Consequently, the cultural theory mainly tends to blame our different cultural beliefs and environments to the predicaments that are facing us lastly structural primarily focus on the failure of these institutions to offer equal opportunities.
Part IV
(a). According to Edin and Lein (1997), this disservice to the poor has happened due to the failure of these groups to consider the full range of the incentives and disincentives that low - skilled single mothers, in particular, perceive and act upon mainly when making choices which range between work and the general welfare. Consequently, it has happened because the fundamental economic reality was revolving around these single mothers and the poor at large has been neglected which advocates that neither welfare nor low –wages can give these single mothers enough finances to meet their own families expenses. In general, these happen because of the existence of a reduced range of strategies which are not directed in empowering these women to be sufficiently stable. For example, some survival strategies can more compatible with some works but fail to display the same results when applied to other work (Edin & Lein, 1997). Hence applying such strategies equally brings more harm to the poor whose lives ought to be uplifted up. It is therefore clear that ignoring how these single mothers make ends meet has denied the less fortunate ones in the society an opportunity to achieve the required long term goal of economic self-sufficiency. As a result, those who are poor are getting worse every day. For example there has been a serious myth in some cultures which prohibit women from participating in any form of employment, but instead they should remain at home to work, however through coming up with these policies which encourage women to take part in economic activities through being employed in farms, That myth is continuously being debunked with time.
b). After examining the reading materials provided, it is evident that Welfare Recipients' expenditures by cities varied and these were as a result of variation mainly in housing costs and food costs which was determined by factors such as the family size, for example, Boston registered the highest rent cost followed other towns which were examined. Consequently, the welfare recipient’s expenditure in a month was less than that of their counterparts who are working mothers. Both working mothers and welfare recipients due to the hardship he had been facing had to find alternatives to supplement their income as part of their survival strategies. For example, the welfare mothers used the work-based plan as an approach to get more extra income (Edin, & Lein, 1997).
PART V
The economic insecurity mainly is caused by various factors among them include; Fear of the unknown which has left many Americans so scared to pursue their ambitions in life. This aspect has over time hindered the progress of many who would have made it in life if at all they had been willing to take risks and pursue their dreams. Another factor that causes these economic insecurities is the indecisive nature of many for example Joel is encouraged first to have that freedom as freedom brings opportunities and these opportunities, later on, make your future better. It is therefore evident that despite the economic struggles that many Americans are going through, many have been willing to go an extra mile regardless of the so many odds that come their way. Many have exhibited an interest in being ready to implement new and risky ideas which they firmly believe they are going to uplift them.
As an approach to ensure that the issues of economic insecurity are resolved, then setting up public policies which are geared towards changing the state of affairs of many is very vital. This has to start by formulating good and achievable ideologies for different groups of people through assuring them of their financial safety and providing more opportunities for the less privileged. These approaches will help build the confidence many and encourage them to go an extra mile in exploiting the risky opportunities.
References
Bradshaw, T. K. (2007). Theories of poverty and anti-poverty programs in community development. Community Development, 38(1), 7-25.
Edin, K., & Lein, L. (1997). Work, welfare, and single mothers' economic survival strategies. American sociological review , 253-266.
Lewis, O. (2017). The culture of poverty. Poor Jews (pp. 9-25). Routledge.
Wilson, W. J. (2010). Why both social structure and culture matter in a holistic analysis of inner-city poverty . The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 629(1), 200-219.
