Empathy as Information: An Intersectional Analysis of Welfare Deservingness in the US

• In Event: Lightning Session: Social Equity and Race

Abstract

To what extent do race and gender shift perceptions of welfare deservingness? A long literature suggests that Black Americans view welfare benefits and recipients more positively than White Americans. However, fewer studies investigate gender, and fewer still consider attitudes moderated by both gender and race simultaneously. We hypothesize that Black women will have the most positive attitudes toward welfare recipients followed by Black men, White women, and White men. And, while previous literature suggests that linked fate creates more positive attitudes toward welfare among groups of color and higher levels of racial resentment creates more negative attitudes toward welfare among White Americans, we argue that empathy toward other groups will positively influence perceptions of welfare deservingness for both Black and White Americans. To test these hypotheses, we conducted a survey of 1000 Black Americans and 1000 White Americans in March 2024. Our results demonstrate both race and gender differences as predicted, and highlight the importance of group empathy in attitude formation around welfare. Ultimately, these results suggest that group attitudes do differ by personal attributes, but that those differences are informed by group empathy. We contend that future studies of attitudes toward welfare recipients should consider measuring group empathy as a mechanism for attitude formation and perceptions of deservingness.

Author

• Caroline Roddey, Northwestern University
  Presenting Author