Welfare Reform and the Intergenerational Transmission of Dependence

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2022
Volume: 130
Issue: 3
Pages: 523 - 565

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We investigate the effect of welfare reform on intergenerational welfare participation, using mother-daughter pairs in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We find that a mother’s Aid to Families with Dependent Children/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (AFDC/TANF) participation increased her daughter’s odds of adult participation in that program by roughly 25 percentage points or more, but that welfare reform attenuated this transmission by at least 50%. However, there is no diminution of transmission after welfare reform when we consider the wider safety net or other outcomes. Daughters who grew up with mothers on AFDC/TANF were no better off after reform, with substitution toward other welfare programs over generations.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/717893
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25