Comparative Social Policies Flashcards
Review the Reasons for high poverty in the US
The US social policies are a reflection of the “survival of the fittest”
attitudes in the US support the following concepts:
self - sufficiency
in charge of your own destiny
Laissez- faire approach
Individualistic culture (as opposed to collective culture)
People must meet VERY low income eligibility to qualify for benefits.
How does the US child poverty rate compare to other countries?
It is the highest of all the rich nations.
How do US family policies differ from those in other countries? Discuss in the context of family allowance, child care, early childhood education, and parental leave.
In Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan and other industrialized nations :
Universal economic and social programs are a RIGHT for everyone regardless of income.
Benefits include:
Universal Health care coverage
PAID parental leave for BOTH parents
Family allowance or child care subsidies
Progressive taxation system- those who earn more pay more in taxes
What can we learn from the case studies in France and other European nations?
Family allowances (cash benefits for families with children) is viewed as a universal right of citizenship
Primary objectives:
Redistribute income to families with children
Supplement income of poor families with children
Strengthen labor force
Increase feelings of social cohesion and progress among its people
Outcomes of longer parental leave and paid leave in other countries:
better maternal health
lower rates of infant mortality
longer breastfeeding periods
greater loyalty to employers
higher productivity levels
How have families been transformed by global economic changes? How has this transformation contributed to inequality among families?
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How have gender and racial/ethnic tensions worsened due to global economic changes?
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What are individual responses and actions to improving the lives of Americans? Discuss in the contest of the stories presented in Eitzen and Smith Chapter 10.
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