HDNet World Report Season 9 Episode 8 The Welfare Queen; The Economy of Polygamy; Viewfinder: Sanctuary
- March 29, 2011
The HDNet World Report is a critically acclaimed television news program that offers an in-depth look at the most pressing issues facing people around the world. Season 8 Season 9, Episode 8, entitled "The Welfare Queen; The Economy of Polygamy; Viewfinder: Sanctuary," focuses on three very different stories.
The first segment, "The Welfare Queen," examines a widely-held but controversial belief that welfare abuse is rampant in the United States. With footage of people abusing the system, the segment investigates whether the claims are true and if this welfare fraud is a major financial burden on taxpayers, as some claim. With interviews from politicians, experts, and people who rely on welfare assistance, the camera tracks the stories of some of the most notorious cases of abuse, as well as the facts and myths behind the issue.
The second story, "The Economy of Polygamy," looks at the financial aspect of having multiple wives. The segment investigates whether the practice of polygamy, which involves one man being married to multiple women, is economically feasible in modern times. It examines how much of a financial burden multiple wives can be on one breadwinner, and how the family unit is structured to accommodate it. Through interviews with polygamist families living in the United States, the economic realities of supporting multiple marital partners are explored.
The final segment, "Viewfinder: Sanctuary," takes a look at an artist’s interpretation of small communities of people who have retreated from mainstream society to live in restricted and secluded environments. While the concept of a sanctuary can vary, the artist focuses on communities of people that have retreated into a closed, private space or created a utopian environment where social interaction is marginalized. Through interviews with members of these communities, the segment explores the motivations behind their retreat and the sanctuaries they've built for themselves.
Overall, season 8 season 9 episode 8 of HDNet World Report offers a look at three diverse topics, from welfare abuse, to polygamy, to the concept of sanctuary. Through careful reporting and insightful interviews, viewers are invited to see the world through a different lens, one that is both fascinating and thought-provoking.