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Research ArticleArticle

Welfare Rules, Incentives, and Family Structure

Robert A. Moffitt, Brian J. Phelan and Anne E. Winkler
Published online before print August 03, 2018, 0717-8928R; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.55.1.0717.8928R
Robert A. Moffitt
Robert A. Moffitt is a Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins University and is an NBER, IRP, and IZA Affiliate. Brian J. Phelan is an Assistant Professor at DePaul University. Anne E. Winkler is a Professor of Economics and Public Policy Administration at the University of Missouri at St. Louis and is an IZA Affiliate.
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Brian J. Phelan
Robert A. Moffitt is a Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins University and is an NBER, IRP, and IZA Affiliate. Brian J. Phelan is an Assistant Professor at DePaul University. Anne E. Winkler is a Professor of Economics and Public Policy Administration at the University of Missouri at St. Louis and is an IZA Affiliate.
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Anne E. Winkler
Robert A. Moffitt is a Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins University and is an NBER, IRP, and IZA Affiliate. Brian J. Phelan is an Assistant Professor at DePaul University. Anne E. Winkler is a Professor of Economics and Public Policy Administration at the University of Missouri at St. Louis and is an IZA Affiliate.
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Abstract

This paper reexamines the effects of welfare on family structure, emphasizing that AFDC and TANF rules are based more on the biological relationship of the mother’s children to any male in the household than on marriage or cohabitation. We find that many 1990s welfare reform policies did not affect family structure but that several work-related reforms increased single parenthood and decreased marriage to biological fathers. These effects are most evident when work-related reforms are bundled and examined over a longer time period. We hypothesize that these effects stem from increased earnings of single mothers and factors specific to biological fathers.

JEL Codes
  • J12
  • J18
  • I38
Keywords
  • Welfare Reform
  • Family Structure

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Welfare Rules, Incentives, and Family Structure
Robert A. Moffitt, Brian J. Phelan, Anne E. Winkler
Journal of Human Resources Aug 2018, 0717-8928R; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.55.1.0717.8928R

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Welfare Rules, Incentives, and Family Structure
Robert A. Moffitt, Brian J. Phelan, Anne E. Winkler
Journal of Human Resources Aug 2018, 0717-8928R; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.55.1.0717.8928R
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Keywords

  • J12
  • J18
  • I38
  • Welfare Reform
  • Family Structure
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