Editing Productivism (section)

=== Public assistance ===
Social stigma is prevalent towards recipients of public assistance programs.  This includes programs frequently utilized by families struggling with poverty such as [[Head Start (program)|Head Start]] and [[Aid to Families with Dependent Children|AFDC]] (Aid To Families With Dependent Children).  The value of self-reliance is often at the center of feelings of shame and the fewer people value self reliance the less stigma affects them psychologically.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Rogers-Dillon |first=Robin |date=1 December 1995 |title=The dynamics of welfare stigma |journal=Qualitative Sociology |language=en |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=439–456 |doi=10.1007/BF02404490 |issn=1573-7837 |s2cid=144636532}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=How Long-Term Unemployment May Mess with Your Mental Health |url=https://psychcentral.com/health/mental-health-effects-of-long-term-unemployment |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Psych Central |language=en}}</ref> Stigma towards welfare recipients has been proven to increase passivity and dependency in poor people and has further solidified their status and feelings of inferiority.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Drasch |first=Katrin |date=2019 |title=The social stigma of unemployment: consequences of stigma consciousness on job search attitudes, behaviour and success |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334431470}}</ref> Caseworkers frequently treat recipients of welfare disrespectfully and make assumptions about deviant behavior and reluctance to work.  Many single mothers cited stigma as the primary reason they wanted to exit welfare as quickly as possible.  They often feel the need to conceal food stamps to escape judgement associated with welfare programs.  Stigma is a major factor contributing to the duration and breadth of poverty in developed societies which largely affects single mothers.<ref name=":1" /> Recipients of public assistance are viewed as objects of the community rather than members allowing for them to be perceived as enemies of the community which is how stigma enters collective thought.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Davis |first1=Liane V. |last2=Hagen |first2=Jan L. |date=26 July 2016 |title=Stereotypes and Stigma: What's Changed for Welfare Mothers |journal=Affilia |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=319–337 |doi=10.1177/088610999601100304 |s2cid=144933839}}</ref> Amongst single mothers in poverty, lack of health care benefits is one of their greatest challenges in terms of exiting poverty.<ref name=":1" /> Traditional values of self reliance increase feelings of shame amongst welfare recipients making them more susceptible to being stigmatized.<ref name=":1" />