The Welfare System is a form of government aid for American citizens that do not possess the ability to support themselves. The state of Pennsylvania is no stranger to the welfare system as over 2.3 million citizens are receiving aid from welfare currently. This aid can help families in a variety of ways such as food, cash, health, and many other forms of assistance. While it is important to recognize that welfare is an escape from hardships and suffering for those that are struggling, the problems that lie within the system are detrimental to everyone involved. Regarding the welfare system, many individuals complain that there is corruption that lies particularly in the funding of the system. A logical complaint is that since the funding …show more content…
This can be labeled respectively as "behavioral poverty", which is simply individuals being highly dependent on others, and not taking matters upon themselves. Am I saying that it is bad to rely on your neighbor for help in the time of need? Well of course not. What is frustrating for American people is helping people who have no intention to better their conditions. As the welfare checks continue to pour in, people find themselves complacent with themselves and believe they can get by with that. Moreover, according to Robert Gehl, Pennsylvania is one of 35 states where welfare pays more than a minimum wage job (Gehl). This is what might cause the lack of motivation for those on welfare, because why would you work for a job when you can get paid more while getting aid. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Not only does this "behavioral poverty" effect the single person, but as T. Elliot Gaiser puts it, "To become comfortable relying on the work of others instead of your own work will change your character, and the character of the nation" (1). If our world is now full of takers, we will soon run out of givers. It is easy to sit back and be a taker, especially in the world we live in today, but our world is looking for givers to rise above the rest. To fix this lackadaisical attitude, work requirements need to be utilized and enforced. I propose the idea that while someone is in search for a job, they are required to participate in 15 hours a week of community service until a job is found. If an individual decides not to participate, the Government decides they will not issue the respective aid for that week. Furthermore, some people who live in poverty also struggle with drug abuse and addiction, causing delay in the process of getting a job. A prime example of this occurred in the book Etched in Sand, as Regina and her siblings had to go search for