Work your way out of poverty." This is the message women on welfare are receiving today. The philosophy is to end government's role and let people take care of themselves.  

One way to limit government's role is by cutting welfare services. 1996 "welfare reform" tightened eligibility requirements, limited the number of years that individuals can receive welfare, and instituted work requirements. This shift to emphasizing work might be good. According to the new book, No Shame in My Game by Katherine Newman, poor people prefer working for low wages to being on welfare. High value is accorded the Protestant work ethic.