The workfare state: public assistance politics from the New Deal to the New Democrats

Abstract

inequalities. This book represents an important step in destigmatizing teen pregnancy and is a call to action to protect and empower our teenage girls. The authors advocate for public discourse and political action and recommend several policies that have yet to garner widespread, bipartisan support. They acknowledge this uphill battle but unfortunately offer few novel approaches to fighting it. Nonetheless, this book is a must-read for anyone committed to supporting and understanding the plight of teenage mothers, and for those dedicated to empowering teenage girls through structural and systemic change. These stories represent a starting point for dialogues among families, educational systems, healthcare providers, and government leaders. The authors – and I – hope that this exploration of the lives of teenage mothers will help shift the blame away from individual behavior and improve lives through engaging families, workplaces, schools, and communities.