Barriers to Employment Among Low-Income Mothers in Rural United States Communities

The differential role of human capital and health in explaining welfare exit‐route and labour outcomes

“…The barrier of physical health was measured using two questions. Those who reported being in fair or poor health were asked further about their specific health problems and whether they suffered from one or more chronic conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, emphysema, back problems, diabetes, fatigue headaches, heart condition, hepatitis, cirrhosis, high blood pressure or seizures (see Son et al, ). The second question asked whether health interfered with their ability work (see Passarella & Born, ).…”

“…Studies focusing on the relationship between health condition and employment indicate that, among welfare recipients and low‐income single mothers, having persistent health problems not only limits their prospects of employment, but is also negatively associated with length and stability of employment (see Andersson et al, ; Corcoran, et al, ; Danziger & Seefeldt, ; Danziger et al, ; Dworsky & Courtney, ; Hauan & Douglas, ; Loprest & Maag, ; Passarella & Born, ). In contrast, no association has been found between health problems and employment stability among low‐income single mothers (Son et al, ).…”

“…The literature on work and welfare use has documented the variety and relatively high prevalence of problems that recipients face and which potentially impede work. These barriers range from low human capital (low education, lack of work experience and lack of specialised training) through personal limitations and family obligations (poor physical health, poor mental health, care of infants), to logistical problems in maintaining work (availability and cost of childcare arrangements and access to transportation to work) (see Danziger et al, ; Dworsky & Courtney, ; Son, Dyk, Bauer, & Katras, ).…”

“…Based on previous knowledge concerning both the importance of ‘health capital’ to labour supply (see Currie & Madrian, ; Hill & Wolfe, ) and the high prevalence of health problems among welfare recipients (e.g., Kaplan et al, ; Loprest & Maag, ), one of the main determinants added is health condition. Several studies have even considered health as an additional component of human capital (e.g., Son et al, ), while others have considered it as a psycho‐social constraint (e.g., Heflin, ).…”

“…However, studies examining the duration of employment in specific years have produced mixed findings. While some showed that employment duration is positively associated with level of schooling and prior work experience (Danziger, Kalil, & Anderson, ; Danziger & Seefeldt, ; Wu et al, ), other studies found no evidence that formal education is associated with length of employment (Corcoran, Danziger, & Tolman, ) or that it increases the probability of being stably employed (Son et al, ).…”