Explores the increasing paternalism of American social policy in light of welfare reforms that require the government to supervise poor citizens to ensure that they comply with requirements for assistance. Reviews the development of paternalistic programs and the prospects for a future that requires less government supervision with more help from…

Conventional explanations attributing the high infant mortality rate in United States to the prevalence of poverty and lack of adequate health care do not tell the whole story. Contributions of parental behavior, lifestyles, and public health care availability versus utilization must be examined in determining public policies to address the…