Newswise — “The current economic recession is bringing to light the role of public assistance within the United States. The Census Bureau reports that in the third quarter of 2008, 45 percent of Americans relied on programs such as Medicaid, free or reduced school lunches, and food stamps.
“The surprisingly high percentage of Americans on public assistance during 2008 reflects the pervasive economic insecurity brought on by the recession that began in December 2007. Indications point toward continuing high levels of participation in government assistance programs through 2010.
“Our own research finds that, between the ages of 20 and 60, 58 percent of Americans used a means-tested program. In another study we found that nearly half of children, at some point during their childhood, lived in a family that received food stamps.
“For the past 40 years the majority of Americans have turned to public assistance when they fell on hard times, yet Americans view doing so in negative, even stigmatized, terms. Perhaps it is time to reassess the role of individual responsibility in the face of economic risk within our highly technological, global economy.”
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