Date of Award
5-18-2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
First Advisor
Hurst, Allison L., 1969-
Abstract
This paper explores the state controlled development of public opinions and perceptions of poverty and welfare recipients. Through the use of boundary theory, I examine the use of stereotypes of "bad" mothering by welfare recipients and poor women as a boundary creator, building general hostility towards welfare recipients. Further, it explores the ways in which welfare policy is molded by race and gender stereotypes regarding welfare recipients. Finally, it investigates the erasure of ̢ white poverty̢ from public discourse, and the consequence of this purposeful omission on welfare policy.
Recommended Citation
Griffin, Risa, "White trash mother: the shaming and control of poor women in the United States" (2009). Honors Theses. 64.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/honorstheses/64
Rights Statement
All rights reserved. This copy is provided to the Kenyon Community solely for individual academic use. For any other use, please contact the copyright holder for permission.
Comments
Includes bibliographical references: pages 86-92