A couple of weeks ago there was a news article in the Arizona Republic describing the changes in the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programs requiring healthier choices of food for the women and children participants. Some of the changes include more fresh fruits and vegetables choices and less processed foods. The article cites that the change was necessary after a study found that individuals on food allowance vouchers, particularly women had a higher body mass index compared to people who did not receive the assistance. I believe that it is good change for the health and well-being of the children and mothers receiving the food allowance to teach them healthier eating habits at a young age thus encouraging them to make better food choices as they get older. According to the article this revision is the first in 30 years which makes it clear that the programs currently made available for women and children might be inadequate if they were designed for a family some decades ago. The Arizona Department of Health is also pushing for a revision of the food stamp program to require similar restrictions and in addition offer incentives for recipients to make better choices. Overall, the change will help the families live healthier and with a lesser risk of becoming obese.
Of course, this is a single issue that has been addressed and there are many more that need similar attention. Health care for example, is a major concern for the near poor because they do not qualify for state Medicaid due to their working status. After 14 years, it would be a good time to revisit the effectiveness of welfare and reform it where it is necessary so that children are cared and provided for adequately and with their best interests in mind. Given the present state of the economy there is an increasing number of children falling victims to poverty. I continue to believe that in a country as rich as ours that spends more on war rather than education is indicative of the government having shifted their focus in the wrong direction and it is time that it too be reformed. Give the American people the opportunity to provide for themselves by bringing jobs back, giving them health care and guaranteeing us a livable wage!
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/10/01/20091001wicfood1001.html
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I heard about the WIC changes and I was thrilled!! What a positive step. You draw a good correlation to the overwhelming number of women benefiting from these programs and the negative health effects they have on them. Then everyone can perpetuate negative stereotypes even though the very nature of the program sets people up for negative outcomes. You also point out something that I think I had lost track of and that is how long it has been since 1996. It is tome to take a serious examination of the state of welfare--especially in the current recession.
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