—
Let’s talk about this Welfare thing a minute.
First of all, what do you think it’s supposed to do, ideally? Is it a short-term fix or should it also include a long-term option? Should it provide only for necessities or should it include options like job retraining?
What do you think it was actually designed to do? Does it still have the same intent it did at inception? The world has changed; should it change, too? Does it work? Is it doing what it was designed to do (even if you don’t think that’s a good purpose)?
In what ways do Welfare programs benefit those that are on them?
In what ways do Welfare programs benefit those who aren’t on them and society as a whole? (Hint: “None” is not an acceptable answer. Think harder.)
Are Welfare programs a necessity or is there some better way to provide for people in need? How?
Have you ever needed a hand up? Did you apply for Welfare (food stamps, Medicaid, etc)? Why or why not? Tell us about your experience with the application and/or the program(s) you utilized? If you’ve used one of these programs, what would you change about how they work?
How does Welfare affect men? We know it’s (generally) harder for men to qualify. Is it harder for them to ask for help? Is the system constructed in such a way that it makes it hard for the people (especially men) who need it to get help? Should the criteria be equal or is it acceptable that men come last on the list of recipients? Why or why not?
__
Join the conversation at The Good Men Project. Here’s how:
Write on this topic using one of the prompts or anything else you think is relevant. Then click below to send your post through our submission system. If you already have an Editor at The Good Men Project, you can request them—or we will match you with an editor.
◊♦◊
The Good Men Project is different from most media companies. We are a “participatory media company”—which means we don’t just have content you read and share and comment on but it means we have multiple ways you can actively be a part of the conversation. As you become a deeper part of the conversation (Which really is “The Conversation No One Else is Having), you will learn all of the ways we support our Writer’s Community—community FB groups, weekly conference calls, classes in writing, editing platform building and more.
◊♦◊
Here are more ways to become a part of The Good Men Project community:
Request to join our private Facebook Group for Writers—it’s like our virtual newsroom where you connect with editors and other writers about issues and ideas.
Click here to become a Premium Member of The Good Men Project Community. 1) Get access to an exclusive “Members Only” Group on Facebook, 2) View the website with no ads 3) Get free access to classes, workshops, and exclusive events 4) Be invited to an exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” with other Premium Members 4) Free commenting badge, listing on our Friends page, and more.
Are you stuck on what to write? Sign up for our Writing Prompts emails, you’ll get ideas directly from our editors every Monday and Thursday.
Join our exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” — where community members are encouraged to discuss the issues of the week, get story ideas, meet other members and get known for their ideas? To get the call-in information, either join as a member or wait until you get a post published with us. Here are some examples of what we talk about on the calls.
Want to learn practical skills about how to be a better Writer, Editor or Platform Builder? Want to be a Rising Star in Media? Want to learn how to Create Social Change? We have classes in all of those areas. Classes are included free of charge with our $20 a year Gold Membership.
However you engage with The Good Men Project—you can help lead this conversation about the changing roles of men in the 21st century.
◊♦◊
__
Photo credit: Getty Images