Sex-Role Stereotypes and Public Assistance

Abstract

In eight counties of varying sizes, the research studied welfare workers' perceptions of client deviance from societal sex-role expectations along the following variables: men in the support, head-of-household role; women in dependency roles; and welfare women perceived as sexually immoral. Workers in small counties, women workers, workers without college degrees, and workers in assistance-payments positions are generally more likely to hold negative views of clients along these variables. Implications are that the welfare system may reinforce sex stereotyping in society to the detriment of client services.