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The last decade of the twentieth century saw the passage of a federal law that completely overhauled the American welfare system, thanks to widespread support for the "war on welfare". Researchers have offered several explanations for this support, including economic self-interest, beliefs in "American" ideal of individualism, and attitudes about African-Americans. Yet few have investigated the role that sexism may have played in support for the welfare system’s overhaul. This paper does just that, using Marxist, radical and difference feminist theories as guide to examine data from the 1996 National Election Study. Results lend partial support for hypotheses based on all three areas of feminist thought. Those who are more likely to believe that a return to traditional heterosexual marriage would lead to fewer societal problems, as well as those who are more likely to feel that we are not obligated to care for those in need, are more likely to support welfare reform. Individualism and attitudes about African-Americans also are found to predict welfare reform views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]