Reforming welfare. (Opinion Pulse).(Brief Article)(Polling Data)

Pollsters are exploring the public's view of the sweeping welfare law enacted in 1996. Not surprisingly, most people haven't followed it closely, but there seems to be a strong general impression that the system is working better. The most important reason is the new law's work requirement. On many issues surrounding welfare, attitudes of the poor and those on welfare are similar to those of the nation as a whole.

 
Question: To the best of your knowledge ...? 
 
There has been a             50% 
major change in the 
welfare laws in the 
past five years 
 
Has not                      18% 
 
Don't                        32% 
know 
 
Note: Table made from pie chart. 
 
Source: National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation, 
and Harvard University, January-February 2001. 
 
Question: In 1996, welfare reform legislation was passed that made 
          changes to the welfare system in America. In your view ...? 
 
                                              Current/former 
                         All respondents    welfare recipients 
 
The current welfare            46%                 47% 
system works better 
 
              Worse            17                  27 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Source: Survey by Princeton 
Survey Research Associates 
for the Pew Forum on Religion 
& Public Life, March 2002. 
 
Question: Earlier in this survey you said that, all in all, the new 
          welfare law is working well. There are many reasons people 
          give for why they think the new law is working well. I'm 
          going to read you a few of them. Please tell me whether each 
          is a ... 
 
Major reason the new welfare law is working well 
 
                                   All respondents    Those in poverty 
 
              The law requires           87%                75% 
          people to go to work 
 
     The law has substantially           64                 63 
         cut the welfare rolls 
 
   The welfare departments are           52                 64 
doing more to help poor people 
 
      There is now ...