Factors that Influence Welfare
in the U.S.
Four factors that shape social welfare
Social Welfare policy in the United States is shaped by four factors that make it different from what exist in any other nation. First, Americans have generally taken a more restrictive view of who is entitled to government assistance. Second, America has been slower than other countries to embrace the welfare state. Third, we have insisted that the states play a large role in running welfare programs. Fourth, nongovernmental organizations play a large role in welfare.
Social Welfare in the U.S.
The first distinctive feature of the American welfare state involves who benefits. To Americans, who benefits has been a question of who deserves to benefit We have usually insisted that public support be given only to those who cannot help themselves. But what does it mean to say that a person cannot help him or herself?