Intergenerational Effects of Welfare Reform: Adolescent Delinquent and Risky Behaviors

Abstract

for helpful comments, to the staff at the University of Michigan's NADHAP for their data and technical help, and Michael Papotto for excellent research assistance. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research. NBER working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes. They have not been peer-reviewed or been subject to the review by the NBER Board of Directors that accompanies official NBER publications.

Begging for Crime? The Effect of State Laws Restricting Access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families on Unsuccessful Completion of Parole

“…Over 36 million children have at least one parent with a criminal record (Thompson, 2019). Recent research indicates that the welfare reform that took place in the 1990's resulted in increases in delinquent behavior of the children impacted by these changes, as well as increases in substance use of both boys and girls (Dave et al, 2021). We expect that the impact of collateral consequences will similarly not be limited to those that are directly impacted, but also to their children.…”

Literature review on the impact of welfare policy design on children and youth

“…Dave et al. (2021) showed similarly negative results from welfare reform which increased maternal employment on adolescent social behavior, such as less volunteering, skipping school, damaging property, fighting, smoking, and drug use. Unlike preschool‐aged children, low‐income adolescents do not respond positively to policy‐driven increases in maternal employment, especially among those with younger siblings (Hsueh & Gennetian, 2011).…”

“…Hsueh and Gennetian (2011) showed that policy-induced maternal employment which does not increase income but does increase sibling care is associated with poor adolescent school outcomes such as performance, suspension, and expulsion. Dave et al (2021) showed similarly negative results from welfare reform which increased maternal employment on adolescent social behavior, such as less volunteering, skipping school, damaging property, fighting, smoking, and drug use. Unlike preschool-aged children, low-income adolescents do not respond positively to policydriven increases in maternal employment, especially among those with younger siblings (Hsueh & Gennetian, 2011).…”

“…Causal evidence from experimental welfare reform evaluation studies shows children in preschool and elementary school improve their academic achievement when both income and parental employment increases, but not when employment increases alone. Adolescents, on the other hand, appear to be negatively affected even when income increases (Dave et al., 2021; Duncan et al., 2011; Morris et al., 2005). That additional financial resources are key in driving improvements in children's school achievement and behavior is also shown in the evaluations of the SSP in Canada and the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) in the US (Blank, 2002).…”

“…What is clear is that the impact of tax credit policies on children can vary depending on the population affected. For example, we would expect the effects to vary depending on household composition, parental education, age and gender of the child, and the outcome of interest, for example, labor market outcomes versus drug use (Dave et al., 2021).…”