The way Americans live and work has changed significantly since the creation of the Social Security Administration in 1935, but U.S. social welfare policy has failed to keep up with these changes. The model of the male breadwinner-led nuclear family has given way to diverse and often complex family structures, more women in the workplace, and nontraditional job arrangements. Old Assumptions, New Realities identifies the tensions between twentieth-century social policy and twenty-first-century realities for working Americans and offers promising new reforms for ensuring social and economic security.
Old Assumptions, New Realities focuses on policy solutions for today's workers---particularly low-skilled workers and low-income families. Contributor Jacob S. Hacker makes strong and timely arguments for universal health insurance and universal 401(k) retirement accounts. Michael A. Stoll argues that job training and workforce development programs can mitigate the effects of declining wages caused by deindustrialization, technological changes, racial discrimination, and other forms of job displacement. To improve the jobs open to low-skill workers, Paul Osterman recommends "demand side" approaches, such as expanding labor-market intermediaries and stronger enforcement of wage and hours laws. Michael Sherraden maintains that wealth-building accounts for children---similar to state college savings plans---and universal and progressive savings accounts for workers can be invaluable strategies for all workers, including the poorest. Jody Heymann and Alison Earle underscore the potential for more extensive work-family policies to help the United States remain competitive in a globalized economy. Scott W. Allard describes the new reality of a safety net dominated by social services delivered by community-based nonprofit organizations, and identifies the policy challenges this transformation presents. Finally, Jodi R. Sandfort suggests that the United States can restructure the existing safety net via state-level reforms but only with a host of coordinated efforts, including better information to service providers, budget analyses, new funding sources, and oversight by intermediary service professionals.
Old Assumptions, New Realities picks up where current policies leave off by examining what's not working, why, and how the safety net can be redesigned to work better. The book brings much-needed clarity to the process of creating viable policy solutions that benefit all working Americans.
ROBERT D. PLOTNICK is professor of public affairs and adjunct professor of economics at the University of Washington. MARCIA K. MEYERS is associate professor of social work and public affairs at the University of Washington. JENNIFER ROMICH is associate professor of social work at the University of Washington. STEVEN RATHGEB SMITH is Nancy Bell Evans Professor of Public Affairs at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington.
ROBERT D. PLOTNICK is professor of public affairs and adjunct professor of economics at the University of Washington. MARCIA K. MEYERS is associate professor of social work and public affairs at the University of Washington. JENNIFER ROMICH is associate professor of social work at the University of Washington. STEVEN RATHGEB SMITH is Nancy Bell Evans Professor of Public Affairs at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington.
