Financial dependence and municipal welfare : a study of municipal welfare and its contribution to the phenomenon of generation to generation dependency on such assistance

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of Municipal Welfare, as it is applied in Nova Scotia, on the mobility trends of those on assistance. It is an individual thesis undertaken in 1967-1968 at the Maritime School of Social Work. Data were obtained from a nation wide study called National Urban Low-Income Family Evaluation which was carried out in Winnipeg, Vancouver and Halifax. Only the data from the Halifax area were used, which were collected between October 1, 1966, and February 28, 1967. A chi-squared test of significance was applied to the data obtained from the 602 questionnaires. It was found that those on Municipal Welfare came usually from a family who was at one time in their life on welfare themselves. It is general knowledge that welfare dependency is passed from generation to generation, but this study gives statistical proof in this instance. It was concluded that a new look at the philosophy of Municipal Welfare is necessary. Some recommendations were offered in this regard.