Rhetoric and Reality of Economic Self-sufficiency Among Rural,Low-Income Mothers: A Longitudinal Study

This study examined the contributions of maternal labor force participation and marital status on economic self-sufficiency over time for rural mothers. Data were from 174 rural families participating in three waves of data collection in Rural Families Speak. χ ² and multiple logistic regression were utilized. Results revealed only one-third of mothers moved toward economic self-sufficiency over three years. Maternal education, employment status, and weekly work hours were associated with improved economic well-being. Compared to single-parent families, unmarried-couple and married-couple families had increased odds of improving economically. In an analysis of all mothers with partners, married or unmarried, martial status was not significant in economic improvement. Findings suggest the role of marriage in welfare reform for rural families should be reconsidered.

Homelessness Among Older Adults with Severe Mental Illness

ABSTRACT

This article tackles a problem that is often overlooked in the literature-the plight of homeless elders with severe mental disabilities. Drawing on his personal experience working with sheltered homeless persons who were mentally ill, the author argues for a focus not on self-sufficiency but on closely supervised care for this vulnerable population.     

A Multisample Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Short Employment Hope Scale (EHS-14)

ABSTRACT.

Employment hope is an aspect of psychological self-sufficiency that captures the process of empowerment for low-income job seekers. It is posited that this process of maintaining and developing employment hope contributes to the economic self-sufficiency outcome. The preliminary 14-item 2-factor Employment Hope Scale (EHS) was previously developed using an exploratory factor analysis (Hong, Polanin, & Pigott, 2012). This study examines whether the same items could be validated using a multisample confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Given the unsatisfied model fit of the original 2-factor model, it was modified into a 4-factor model guided by theoretical suggestion from an earlier focus-group study. The multisample CFA on the modified model explained the data significantly better than did the initial model across 2 independent samples. Reliability and validity tests confirmed the factor structure of the modified model. This study confirms that the revalidated Short EHS (EHS-14) is a more robust version of the scale. Further research is needed to demonstrate its utility as a tool to benchmark the pre-employment client empowerment process in workforce development and to monitor postemployment employee support needs in the workplace for retention.     

古罗马的商业特征与中世纪自给自足状态的形成

中世纪自给自足状态的形成的根本原因不是日尔曼人的入侵,而是罗马自身商业的衰落。这是由罗马商业的特征所决定的。罗马的经济主体始终是农业,商业一直处于从属地位;罗马的商业是同战争密切相关的,战争的结束意味着商业的衰落;罗马在观念上一直是鄙视商业的,并在后期实行了一系列不利于商业的政策,这直接导致了商人和商业的瓦解,从而使社会进入自给自足状态。     

Kinship Strategies and Self-Sufficiency Among Single Mothers by Choice: Post Modern Family Ties

This article discusses findings from an on-going study of 50 single mothers by choice: women aged 21 to 50 when they become mothers, who are self-supporting economically, and who have chosen to become mothers as unmarried women. The interviews include women (both heterosexual and lesbian) who vary widely by race and social class. We argue that this group of women demonstrate ways of maintaining economic self-sufficiency—relying neither on the state nor on a male provider—through creative efforts at networking, resource sharing, and non-economic exchanges. We find that the route the women take to motherhood (adoption, known donor pregnancies, anonymous donor insemination, or accidental pregnancy) has a strong impact on the makeup of specific kin relationships between the mothers, their children, and others; yet all the mothers strategically forge or foster close ties which enable them to raise their children independently.     

A Critical View on the Role of NGOs in Systemic Capacity Building: Insights from Projects for Promoting Access to Water and Self-sufficiency in Food Production in Northern Ghana

The paper takes the example of Northern Ghana with its inadequate provision of basic social infrastructure for exploring the ability of NGOs to provide effective capacity building. It examines if NGOs have sufficient understanding and knowledge for operations and if their philosophy and objectives are enough to enable judgment and lasting successes. Weaknesses and strengths of NGOs are investigated as they still are indispensable organizations for developing backward areas, especially for fostering sustainable rural community development. It is shown that the theoretical framework of ‘landscape development' applies best to analyse how the many simultaneous transformations occur in this context and how they connect. A succinct impact study is exhibited in the paper to demonstrate how some of these effects come about. The survey regards World Vision, an international NGO that has been active in Ghana for a long time.     

When the Spirit Blooms: Acquiring Higher Education in the Context of Welfare Reform

ABSTRACT

Established within a political context greatly influenced by stereotypical assumptions of impoverished women of color, welfare reform codified a work-first philosophy meant to attack perceived “dependency” and spur “self-sufficiency.” This article describes the shortcomings of the work-first approach and highlights the importance of higher education for helping women, and especially women of color, achieve economic well-being. It then reports key findings from a study that examines the impact of higher education on the lives of welfare participants in California. Utilizing a mix of surveys, focus groups, and personal interviews, this study finds that despite the challenges associated with balancing parenthood, college-level coursework, and the bureaucratic demands of welfare reform, the stereotypical notions of the “welfare queen” do not apply. Instead, study participants exhibited a high level of ambition, persistence, determination, and hard work in pursuit of their educational ambitions; and in the process, improved their lives and the lives of their children.     

抗战时期毛泽东的外交思想及其启示

抗日战争时期,中国共产党在政治上的成熟促进了外交政策的成熟。在外交实践中,毛泽东独立自主的外交思想逐步形成、完善。他明确地提出了独立自主的外交思想;准确地阐述了自力更生和争取外援的关系;正确地制定了较为完整的外交策略和工作方法。今天,毛泽东的外交思想仍具有现实指导意义。     

Does Wisconsin Works Work? Perspectives of Participating Women and their Employers

Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the experiences of African American women in Milwaukee, WI as they transitioned from welfare to work and the barriers and challenges that impeded their movement to a position of economic self-sufficiency. The study also sought the perspectives of employers on their experiences with post-welfare African American women in the workplace. The study found three systems of barriers to impede the women’s progress. These barriers were the work-first philosophy and case management practices at the local level, labor market conditions and employment practices, and personal history and responsibility. These findings suggest that any reform effort must address both the personal and structural barriers that inhibit movement towards economic self-sufficiency. The Institute for Excellence in Urban Education, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee provided the funding for this research project.     

挤出还是促进——地方财政分权、市场化与低保救助水平差异

利用2013年全国市级有关数据,采用回归方法构建两个递进实证计量模型,考察地方财政分权、市场化对城乡低保救助水平的影响.实证结果表明,地方财政自给度和市场化水平均对低保救助有非常显著的促进作用,农村低保救助相对城市对地方财政分权和市场化的敏感度更高,科教文卫支出对低保救助支出存在非常显著的良性互动关系.建议进一步完善事权与财政支出责任相匹配的机制,提高地方财政自给度,同时转变政府职能,厘清政府权责边界,提升地方市场化水平.