This is a fine start, but I imagine there is a lot more literature out there that can be discussed. While there is no single “correct” way to write a paper on this topic, you might consider an outline such as this:
1. An introductory paragraph or two that summarizes the issue you’ll explore (1 page )
2. An in-depth discussion in the history of welfare in the US. ( 5 pages)
Talk about why and how welfare programs in the US came into development, how they may have changed over time, the number of people on some type of public assistance, the characteristics of those on assistance (e.g., age, sex, race,…etc? perhaps geographic location…i.e., southern states versus northern…etc).
In writing this section please explain more clearly what you mean by ‘welfare’ and why these programs began and how they have grown (or not) over time and who commonly receives welfare. Information on the rate of growth and demographic characteristics is especially important because you can later (in the next section) discuss the rate of growth (and decline) of crime in the US and the demographic characteristics of offenders. If for example you find that welfare programs have grown since the 1990s and during that same time crime has been declining, then it becomes harder for you to argue that welfare programs are contributing to the crime problem in the US. BUT…if welfare programs have declined at the same time crime has declined, then this would be some support for the idea that welfare is positively correlated with crime.
A lot has been written about the welfare in the US with such books as:
Social welfare : a history of the American response to need
Living on the edge : the realities of welfare in America
Race and the politics of welfare reform
It would be helpful to have the most current statistics on welfare in the US – i.e., what percent of people receive some form of welfare; demographics of those receiving assistance, etc.
3. An in-depth discussion of crime in the US. ( 6 pages )
Talk about how crime rates have changed over time, what types of crime are the most common (property crimes), demographic characteristics of offenders. Etc.
In the previous section you have showed how welfare rates have changed over time and who receives it. Now in this section, discuss how crime rates have changed over time and who commits it. Identify the similarities in these two areas. Highlight any areas where they differ. Etc.
There are several books that discuss it at some level. Also, there are a lot of crime-related reports and publications on the bureau of justice statistics website: http://www.bjs.gov
4. Now that you have painted a picture of welfare in the US and crime in the US, compare/contrast what you’ve found. ( 7 pages )
Furthermore, discuss any research studies that may have been conducted showing a relationship between welfare and crime.
5. Assuming that you are able to argue there is a relationship, discuss WHY this relationship might exist.
( 5 pages)
Is it all about poverty? In the current draft of your paper, you also talked about the lack of a father figure: if you have previously shown that those households receiving welfare commonly do not have a father present AND you are able to offer an explanation for the relationship between an absent father and crime, then you have grounds to argue that the connection between welfare and crime is really the result of the breakdown of the traditional family. Etc.
Bottom line is: You need to dig deeper as you conduct this review of the welfare/crime literature. I’m not sure if those references I sent you a few weeks ago were helpful, but you should look them over if you haven’t already.
Please review and make the correction on section 1 and start working on section 2 and 3 above.
Thank you so much!