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The Effect of Economic Stability on Family Stability among Welfare Recipients

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  • Alisa C. Lewin

    (University of Haifa and University of Chicago)

Abstract

The main rationale for defining two-parent families eligible for welfare was to keep families intact by eliminating an incentive for union dissolution. But there are other reasons for family instability, most notably women’s reduced economic gain from marriage associated with having a chronically unemployed husband. This article explores the hypothesis that husband’s unemployment increases union dissolution among welfare recipients. The analysis uses data from California’s Link-Up demonstration project. A discrete-time event-history methodology was employed to examine family instability. The findings show that husband’s unemployment and the family’s long-term welfare dependency lead to breakup, net of race, age, and number of children.

Suggested Citation

  • Alisa C. Lewin, 2005. "The Effect of Economic Stability on Family Stability among Welfare Recipients," Evaluation Review, , vol. 29(3), pages 223-240, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:29:y:2005:i:3:p:223-240
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X04272558
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Lindsay M. Monte, 2019. "Multiple-Partner Fertility in the United States: A Demographic Portrait," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(1), pages 103-127, February.
    3. Alisa C. Lewin & Haya Stier, 2017. "The Experience of Material and Emotional Hardship in Israel: Do Some Groups Cope Better than Others?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 134(1), pages 385-402, October.

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    Keywords

    poverty; divorce; welfare; AFDC; Link-Up;
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