This study aims to dispel the misconceptions and myths about welfare and the welfare population that have clouded the true picture of poverty in America. It offers insights into each of the reforms under consideration and demonstrates their implications for poor women and children.

"Berrick proves to be a superb reporter and analyst, compassionate without being maudlin."--The Oakland Tribune "An absorbing solidly documented study of America's welfare system and the circumstances of five women and their children who are dependent on it....A passionate, perceptive assessment of a complex and timely issue."--Kirkus Reviews "Battling media stereotypes of welfare recipients as lazy, scheming 'welfare queens,' Berrick...provides probing profiles of five typical welfare mother....She concludes with a tart critique of various welfare reform proposals such as time limits and caps on family grants."--Publishers Weekly "Rich in cultural insight on the lives and tribulations of women on welfare facing insurmountable obstacles raising children. Good for any level and a must in social work."--Steven Applewhite, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Houston "Duerr Berrick's book is a much needed armament in the battle for accuracy and information about people on welfare and the varied welfare reform proposals. The author's brilliantly simple research should go far towards filling the knowledge gap related to welfare.... This book ought to be required reading for every elected official and every talking head who call for reform without first calling for accurate information."--Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare "[A] compelling biography."--Choice "Berrick proves to be a superb reporter and analyst, compassionate without being maudlin."--The Oakland Tribune "An absorbing solidly documented study of America's welfare system and the circumstances of five women and their children who are dependent on it....A passionate, perceptive assessment of a complex and timely issue."--Kirkus Reviews "Battling media stereotypes of welfare recipients as lazy, scheming 'welfare queens,' Berrick...provides probing profiles of five typical welfare mother....She concludes with a tart critique of various welfare reform proposals such as time limits and caps on family grants."--Publishers Weekly "By presenting a human face to a growing element of our population that is often stereotyped and misrepresented, Jill Duerr Berrick makes a valuable contribution to the current political debates over welfare reform and societal responsibility for human need. Berrick cuts through much of the current rhetoric surrounding welfare programs to the heart of the matter: how these programs contribute to the day-to-day survival needs of low income women and children. Faces of Poverty should not only be read by all legislators, social workers, social work educators, and students, it should be mandatory reading for anyone who wishes to express an opinion on this controversial issue."--Michael Reisch, School of Social Work, San Francisco State University

An eye-opening look at poverty in America Based on numerous hours observing five women and their families on welfare Demolishes many of the myths and misconceptions about so-called welfare mothers Provides the information people need to see through the rhetoric surrounding the welfare debate

Jill Duerr Berrick is the Director of the Center for Social Services Research and the Child Welfare Research Center at the School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley. She has conducted numerous studies of children and families and has published her findings in several books and articles.