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PROMPT: What have been the effects (intended or not) of the 1996 welfare reform on adults and children? Consider work, family, education and well-being
SOURCES:
Kissane, R. J. (2008). “They Never did me any good”: Welfare-to-Work Programs from the Vantage Point of Poor Women. Humanity & Society, 32, 336–360. https://doi.org/10.1177/016059760803200403
Family: The work requirements of PRWORA often strained families, as parents struggled to balance work and childcare responsibilities. This could lead to increased instability in family structures and a decline in child well-being.
Education: PRWORA also required welfare recipients to participate in education or training programs. While this aimed to improve their employability, it often placed additional burdens on parents already struggling to meet basic needs.
Well-being: Studies have shown mixed results regarding the impact of PRWORA on the overall well-being of adults. Some studies indicate improvements in income and employment, while others suggest that the stress of work requirements and time limits may have negative mental health outcomes.
Effects on Children
Education: Children in families receiving TANF benefits were more likely to experience school absences and have lower academic achievement compared to their peers (Duncan et al., 2011). This could be attributed to the increased parental work requirements and the overall stress associated with welfare reform.
Health: Studies have shown that PRWORA had a mixed impact on children's health. While some studies indicate improvements in certain health indicators, others suggest that the increased stress and instability associated with welfare reform may have negative consequences for children's overall well-being.
Overall, the effects of the 1996 welfare reform on adults and children have been complex and multifaceted. While some positive outcomes have been observed, such as increased employment rates among single mothers, there have also been negative consequences, including increased family instability and potential impacts on child well-being.
Reference
Duncan, G. J. (2017). The long-term effects of welfare reform. In The Oxford Handbook of Economic Inequality (pp. 787-829). Oxford University Press.
The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), commonly known as welfare reform, introduced significant changes to the United States' welfare system. Replacing the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), PRWORA imposed time limits on welfare benefits, required work participation, and emphasized self-sufficiency.
Effects on Adults
Work: PRWORA's emphasis on work participation led to an increase in employment rates among single mothers. The proportion of single mothers employed rose from 51% in 1996 to 74% in 2016 (Duncan, 2017). However, many of these jobs were low-paying and lacked benefits, leaving families struggling to make ends meet.