Work Ethic and Work Incentives: Values and Income Maintenance Reform

Authors

Beverly G. Toomey, The Ohio State University

Abstract

Although the American belief system surrounding the concept of work has been analyzed and challenged by social scientists seeking solutions to the problem of poverty, the strength of the work ethic philosophy is still evident in public resistance to welfare reform which would support adequate income maintenance and government efforts at job creation. This paper discusses the relationship between the work ethic philosophy, job creation programming and welfare reform. It reviews relevant theoretical and empirical literature and identifies some misconceptions which continue to hamper policy formulation and program development in welfare reform.

Recommended Citation

Toomey, Beverly G. (1980) "Work Ethic and Work Incentives: Values and Income Maintenance Reform," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 7: Iss. 2, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1402
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol7/iss2/2