Tyranny of Kindness

p Tyranny of Kindness

Theresa Funiciello (Author

back : 340 pages

Publisher : Atlantic Monthly Press (September 1 , 1994

Language : English

ISBN-10

ISBN-13 : 80

Introduction

Funiciello begins her book `Tyranny of Kindness ' with a bang . She highlights the cruel kindness of the multitude of welfare measures that do not fare well ! Whereas the taxpayers are told that they (the schemes are the `best orchestras , in reality they are the `muffled drums ' as for their benefit to the poor . The tragedy that struck the Ali family and their subsequent struggles

, make even a horror story look like the kindergarten stuff ! Describing the incident she writes , If the Ali family had become homeless , exactly what would have happened can not be said with absolute certainty . Still , these are commonalities shared by women of all races and religions , from coast to coast , experiencing either rural or urban poverty . The merciless anxiety and humiliation of being shuttled back and forth like herded animals , the stress of keeping kids in school are constant . Only the details vary (p .5 1 . In Part I Funiciello discusses with the welfare system . What are these problems according to Funiciello ? Why she is addressing these problems

According to the Washington Post , Tyranny of Kindness is sterling book to be published on the subject of poverty and welfare , during the last three decades . Where lay the strength of the book ? Is it the theory ? Is it the practical ? The answer is , it is both ! What is theory after all It is other man 's experience . This book becomes the authoritative indictment for the simple reason that Funiciello has the experience of living through both the side of the fence . The so called welfare system which is not at all fair to the poor persons for whose benefit it is intended to and is framed , is bitterly criticized by Funiciello with adequate evidence . How poor people are entrenched in the absurdities of the procedures , the schemes help the professionals managing the programs , not the ones for the professed benefits of the poor-especially women and children . She is addressing these problems and the necessity to find a cost-effective alternative , so that the tax-payer 's money does not go into the drain . The bureaucracy eats the cake of the welfare schemes and what remains for the poor and the weak is just the empty fillers

2 . Why does she discuss charities , shelters , food banks , etc , in a book on welfare

Throughout the book the unbreakable thread of Funiciello 's concern for the genuine welfare of the poor and the women passes through . She highlights the implementation aspect . What you provide to the poor is not that important . How you provide , what you provide is more important Does the welfare measure contribute tangibly for improving their standard of living as well as standard of life ? - this is the important question . Poverty management needs to be done by those who understand what it means to live in perennial poverty - if possible , those who have the first hand...