Work and the Well-Being of Poor Families with Children

This book evaluates the effectiveness of multiple policy proposals—including those of the Biden Administration—in reducing poverty among families with children. The authors argue that no single policy is sufficient in itself; successful programs rely on some combination of increased work effort, higher wages, and government benefits.

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A 2023 Choice Reviews Outstanding Academic Title

This work assesses the possibilities and limitations of reducing poverty among families with children by increasing the work effort of the adults in those families. Following a historical review of family poverty since 1995, the authors present several policy simulations, including increased employment, a higher minimum wage, more generous tax credits, a child allowance, and reduced childcare or medical expenses. Specific policy proposals—including the proposals of the Biden Administration—are assessed using four criteria: reducing child poverty; equitable treatment of the poorest groups; promotion of self-sufficiency; and cost-effectiveness. The authors conclude that while no single policy is able to reduce family poverty by half while meeting the other criteria, several combinations of policies have the potential to do so.