USA- Effectiveness of gov decision responses to socio-economic influence

Question 1

Factors

Answer 1

TANF, ESSA, AA and the affordable care act

Question 2

LOA

Answer 2

This essay will argue that government responses to socio-economic inequality in the USA are effective to a moderate extent.

Question 3

TANF

Answer 3

In attempt to reduce socio-economic inequality in the USA, the government introduced TANF. TANF was introduced to tackle child poverty by supporting single parents by offering employability and childcare support. Since TANF was introduced in 1996, the child poverty rate amongst single parents has fallen. It is currently at one of it’s lowest levels. This proves that TANF has helped children in poverty along with supporting single parents. However, many argue that TANF isn’t helping poverty stricken children or single parents as much as it should be. The level of child poverty in the US is one of the highest in the developed world - only 2 other countries have higher rates. This shows that although TANF is tackling child poverty it isn’t effective in supporting the majority of needy families. So, TANF has been effective in tackling inequalities in the USA to a moderate extent. Although the child poverty rate has fallen since 1996, it is still one of the highest in the developed world.

Question 4

ESSA

Answer 4

In attempt to reduce socio-economic inequality in the USA, the government introduced ESSA. It was signed by President Obama in 2015 in attempt to improve educational opportunities for all encouraging states to focus funding where its most needed. It led to high-school graduation rates in the USA being at an all-time high- for African Americans. It now stands at 80%, an increase of 5% in 4 years. This shows that ESSA has increased the rate of ethnic minorities staying on at school. Although many found that education has been pushed aside by many politicians. President Trump was criticised for not prioritising education in the public sector. This shows that Republicans aren’t passionate about getting involved and changing the education system for the better. So, ESSA has been effective in tackling inequalities in the USA to a moderate extent. Although Obama was able to increase the high school graduation rates after creating ESSA, it has been pushed aside by Trump, lessening it’s impact.

Question 5

AA

Answer 5

In attempt to reduce socio-economic inequalities in the USA, the government introduced AA. AA aims to give better education and employment to a range of disadvantaged Americans. Due to AA, the number of women enrolled at US colleges has doubled. This shows the positive impact AA has had on encouraging minorities to enroll in further education. However, many argue that AA hasnt made much of a difference in helping minorities. 50% of 2015-2016 high school graduates in Mississippi were African American, but were just 12.9% of university of Mississippi under graduates. This shows that the programme hasn’t encouraged all minorities to go onto further education. So, AA has been effective in tackling inequalities in the USA to a moderate extent. Although it has been effective for some minorities such as women, others such as African Americans dont find it useful.

Question 6

The Affordable Care Act

Answer 6

Finally, in attempt to reduce socio-economic inequalities in the USA, the government introduced the Affordable care Act. This was introduced by the Obama administration and aimed to ensure that all Americans had access to affordable health insurance and improve the health of poorer Americans. In 2021 President Biden’s health secretary Becerra released a report showing 31 million Americans had health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. This was a record. This emphasises that this programme has helped a large majority of Americans, offering them support with health care. Many minorities aren’t finding support within this programme. African Americans remained 1.5 times more likely to be uninsured than whites from 2010 to 2018. This shows that the Affordable Care Act was much more effective for whites than it is for African Americans. So, the Affordable Care Act has been effective in tackling inequalities in the USA to a moderate extent. Although it has had a large impact on many, it’s evident that it’s leaving out some minorities who arguably need health care support the most due to high poverty rates especially found in minorities.

Question 7

Conclusion

Answer 7

Overall, government responses to social-economic inequalities in the USA have been effective to a moderate extent.