What is the Feminist Perspective on TANF Reauthorization?
• A feminist vision for TANF reauthorization is grounded in the belief that ultimately welfare reform must be part of a larger agenda to promote economic justice and economic security for all members of society, including people from all ethnic and racial backgrounds. • Acknowledges that welfare receipt is a legitimate survival strategy for poor women and recognizes the challenges faced by poor women trying to balance paid work and caregiving. • Argues that poverty reduction, broadly defined, is the primary purpose of welfare reform and supports keeping adequate funds available in TANF block grants. • Calls for the restructure of time limits and sanctions to take into account the barriers to employment faced by many poor women. • Supports efforts to strengthen the safety net for children, particularly through strengthening the safety net for all low-income families. • Questions the effectiveness of work first strategies, emphasizing the gendered nature of womens low wages and the many
