During the 1980s, a growing number of critics alleged that welfare programs
A) had nearly eliminated poverty.
B) were helping to create a dysfunctional underclass of people who depended upon it for survival.
C) were being abused, mostly by the wealthy.
D) benefited only the middle class at the expense of the poorer class.
E) should be turned back over to private charities and religious institutions because government resources had been exhausted.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the 1980s, a growing number of critics alleged that welfare programs were helping to create a dysfunctional underclass of people who depended upon it for survival. This criticism is known as the "culture of poverty" argument, which claimed that welfare programs created a cycle of dependency and undermined the work ethic of poor individuals. This argument gained traction during the conservative Reagan era, and many welfare programs were scaled back or eliminated as a result.

During the 1980s, a Growing Number of Critics Alleged That