Posted on May 4, 2007

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Americans Increasingly Supportive of Social Safety Net, Study Finds

Support for government programs that help disadvantaged Americans, as well as sympathy for the plight of the poor, has surged since 1994, regaining levels last seen in 1990 — prior to welfare reform — a new survey by the Philadelphia-based Pew Charitable Trusts finds.

Survey participants were asked to respond to three core questions regularly asked in Pew surveys since 1987: Should the government guarantee every citizen enough to eat and a place to sleep? Is it the responsibility of the government to take care of people who can't take care of themselves? And should government help more needy people even if it means going deeper into debt?

The survey found that some of the biggest increases in concern for the needy have come from political conservatives, Southern whites, and older Americans. In 1993, for example, 28 percent of self-described conservatives agreed that the government should help more needy people even if it means going deeper into debt; today, 48 percent of conservatives are willing to accept deficit spending to aid the poor. Similarly, 54 percent of Americans believe the government should do more to help the disadvantaged, while 69 percent agree that the government should guarantee food and shelter to all Americans.

In addition, the proportion of Americans who agreed with all three statements rose from 29 percent in 1994 to 41 percent in the most recent survey, while those who consistently disagreed with all three propositions fell by nearly half, from 24 percent to 13 percent.

To view the results of the poll, visit the Pew Research Center Web site.

“Surge in Support for Social Safety Net.” Pew Charitable Trusts Press Release 5/02/07.

Primary Subject: Public Affairs
Location(s): National, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

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