Summary of Article
The purpose of Baker Collins et al. (2020) article entails investigating intergenerational transmission of welfare or social assistance through the views or opinions of individuals receiving the program for at least one generation. Previously published studies on moral assumptions and income assistance policy promoted Baker Collins et al. (2020) to conduct their investigation. According to existing literature, the responsibility for meeting the needs of Canadians who are in materially constrained situations has increasingly shifted to the individual from the state. Most studies have established that the working-age Canadian who makes a claim on the state for social assistance or income support is now responsible to the state for work-associated activity as a prerequisite for making such a claim. The existing literature further observes that the need to demonstrate adequate work effort and the changing role of casework has opened up new arenas for moralizing judgments around receiving of income support or social assistance.
The main point of Baker Collins et al. (2020) article is that Canadians give an account of their use of income support or social assistance in terms that justify such use based on circumstances and need. Specifically, Baker Collins et al. (2020) noted that Canadians represent themselves as desiring to work but are unable to do so because of a broad range of circumstances outside their control, such as a lack of good quality jobs, elder or childcare, and injury. According to Baker Collins et al. (2020), any Canadian may find themselves in the position of requiring income support or social assistance if they share these same experiences. The stigma, surveillance, and inadequacy of social assistance were part of the rejection of income support or social assistance as a long-term remedy despite the immediate need for it in the short term. Baker Collins et al. (2020) recommend that a more practical solution is to address environmental issues such as childhood trauma and poor health and provide more flexible employment support so that Canadians can enter the workforce knowing they will have access to health benefits and affordable childcare.
Critical Analysis of Article
Baker Collins et al. (2020) have used scientific evidence to support their arguments. Specifically, the article has used peer-reviewed journal articles, government publications, and books to support their arguments. All these are scholarly and scientific sources. Most of the sources used by Baker Collins et al. (2020) are peer-reviewed journal articles that are credible and reliable. The theoretical perspective that the authors have taken is conflict theory. According to conflict theory, groups and individuals in society are in a state of perpetual conflict because of the competition for limited resources. Baker Collins et al. (2020) contends that Canadians are in a state of conflict because of competition for limited or inadequate income support or social assistance. The tightening of eligibility conditions and requirements to qualify for social assistance has placed Canadians in a state of conflict. The qualitative method adopted by Baker Collins et al. (2020) was adequate to support their conclusion. Specifically, the authors used semi-structured interviews to answer questions regarding health, environmental, economic, and social factors affecting Canadians’ receipt of income support or social assistance. Baker Collins et al. (2020) conflict perspective was reasonably objective and fair because it painted an accurate picture of Canadian society, which is always in perpetual conflict because of competition for limited or adequate income support or social assistance. Conflict theory also played a critical role in addressing the research questions. One strength of the qualitative method adopted by Baker Collins et al. (2020) is that it provided rich, original voices of the research participants, which can be used to construct research narratives. However, semi-structured interviews can be biased, which may affect the reliability and validity of the research findings. They may also present ethical dilemmas because they need more generalizability of findings and power dynamics. I agree with Baker Collins et al. (2020) that an effective solution to shortcomings associated with income support or social assistance is to address environmental issues, such as childhood trauma and poor health, and provide more flexible employment support so that Canadians can enter the workforce knowing they will have access to health benefits and affordable childcare. Expressly, I agree that social assistance will only satisfy the needs of Canadians if they seek the aid of the program for various reasons.
Sociological Concepts and Issues
The research question relates to Max Weber’s theory. Specifically, the proposed research question was: How do recipients view the intergenerational transmission of social assistance? According to Max Weber, circumstances of people can act to lower the level of inequality in society. Weber contends that people’s class position is determined by their market situations, such as their level of technical skills, level of education, opportunities for income, and possession of goods (Brym, 2022). In capitalist societies, Weber observes that four main classes exist that include propertyless manual workers, propertyless but well-paid and relatively highly educated employees, small property owners, and large property owners. Status groups and parties also exist other than classes. According to Weber, status groups differ from one another in the social honor or prestige they enjoy and in their lifestyle. Members of high-status groups often look down upon members of low-status groups.
Baker Collins et al. (2020) article relates to one of the current articles from popular media. According to Maclean’s magazine, many Canadians depend on social assistance programs because of various reasons such as disability, poverty, and lack of well-paying jobs. The number of poor single parents and full-time employees seeking social assistance in Vancouver has hit a record high (Long, 2023). They are unable to feed their children and seek the aid of food banks. The idea of intergenerational transmission of social assistance is becoming a reality in Canada since children of poor parents are more likely to seek social assistance when they grow up. According to Maclean’s, food banks have traditionally fed people with disabilities, people on social assistance, and the working poor. The number of full-time workers seeking social assistance is also increasing. As Baker Collins et al. (2020), there is a need to look beyond social assistance programs because it is not adequate to address the increasing demands of Canadians people in need. Canadians need to be provided with more flexible employment support so that Canadians can enter the workforce knowing they will have access to health benefits and affordable childcare.
References
Long, D. (2023). I work in a B.C. food bank. We’re serving triple the number of people we used to. Maclean’s. Retrieved from https://macleans.ca/longforms/food-banks-affordability- inflation-groceries/
Baker Collins, S., Smith-Carrier, T., Gazso, A., & Smith, C. (2020). Resisting the culture of poverty narrative: Perspectives of social assistance recipients. Journal of Poverty, 24(1), 72-93.
Brym, R. (2022). SOC+ (5th ed.). Learning Cengage
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