Work and the Well-Being of Poor Families with Children: When Work is Not Enough

The book examines the potential and limitations of reducing poverty among families with children by increasing the work effort of adults. It presents policy simulations and assesses specific proposals, finding that while no single policy can achieve the goal, combinations of policies can make a significant impact.

Format: Hardback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

A 2023 Choice Reviews Outstanding Academic Title, "Reducing Poverty Among Families with Children: Assessing Possibilities and Limitations," examines the potential and challenges of reducing poverty among families with children by increasing the work effort of the adults in those families. The authors provide a historical review of family poverty since 1995 and present several policy simulations, including increased employment, a higher minimum wage, more generous tax credits, a child allowance, and reduced childcare or medical expenses. They assess specific policy proposals, including those of the Biden Administration, 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 all the criteria, several combinations of policies have the potential to achieve this goal.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498556774