Petition
Value Caring Work in Welfare Benefits

• Welfare ‘reform’, now up for reauthorization (review and renewal) in Congress, has destroyed welfare as a right and entitlement.

• It puts forward that caring for your own children has no value, and forces women into a killing workday.

• It is forced labor and low-waged work recruitment.

• It has widened the pay gap between women’s and men’s wages.

• It results in more women and children living in poverty, which means more of us will end up in prostitution and otherwise criminalized and benefits denied.

• Mothers and children will be left with nothing when the clock stops on their 60-month lifetime limit to receiving benefits.

• It is a racist attack; the majority of those on welfare are Black and Latina. Many youth of color have no real choice but prison or the army, now 40% Black.

• It denies the work women with disabilities and older women do caring for themselves and others.

• It forces lesbian and other mothers to name the father of their children and sue for child support.

• It puts women at risk of violent relationships.

• It discourages breastfeeding; it cuts the time mothers have with their children.

• It cuts benefits to immigrant women.

• The UN has called for caring work to count, but welfare ‘reform’ ignores that.

• While money is cut for women and children, money is poured into increased military spending for Star Wars and weapons for military action around the world.

Caregivers are at the heart of the economy, but along with our children always come last. Reauthorization is a chance to change welfare 'reform'. Let your voice be heard!

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