THE CONSTANT CRISIS: SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE AMERICAN CULTURAL STRUCTURE.

These conundrums are not the result of peculiar or hidden quirks in the American character; but rather of the unresolved issues within its central tenets. We thus can expect programs aimed at helping the poor to be in a state of constant crisis and perpetual perplexity, primarily because the poor are continually threatening dominant values in America. Conversely, since aid to the poor is firmly rooted in a set of subdominant values, we can never be "rid" of the concern for them. Hence, the topic of "the poor" and "the welfare poor" is one which generates conflict and guilt, and particularly so as we individually and collectively struggle to resolve the value antinomies which we share. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]