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The road to economic self-sufficiency: Job quality and job transition patterns after welfare reform

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  • Rucker C. Johnson

    (University of Michigan)

  • Mary E. Corcoran

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationships of schooling, the skill content of work experience, and different types of employment patterns with less-skilled women's job quality outcomes. Survey data from employers and longitudinal data from former and current welfare recipients are used for the period 1997 to early 2002. The analysis of job quality is broadened beyond employment rates and wages measured at a point in time by including non-wage attributes of compensation and aspects of jobs that affect future earnings potential. This study shows the extent to which lack of employment stability, job skills, and occupation-specific experience impedes welfare recipients' abilities to obtain a “good job” or to transition into one from a “bad job.” The business cycle downturn has significantly negatively affected the job quality and job transition patterns of former and current recipients. © 2003 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.

Suggested Citation

  • Rucker C. Johnson & Mary E. Corcoran, 2003. "The road to economic self-sufficiency: Job quality and job transition patterns after welfare reform," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(4), pages 615-639.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:22:y:2003:i:4:p:615-639
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.10158
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle Livermore & Rebecca Powers & Belinda Davis & Younghee Lim, 2011. "Failing to Make Ends Meet: Dubious Financial Success Among Employed Former Welfare to Work Program Participants," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 73-83, March.
    2. Julia Shu-Huah Wang, 2021. "State TANF Time Limit and Work Sanction Stringencies and Long-Term Trajectories of Welfare Use, Labor Supply, and Income," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 650-696, December.
    3. repec:pri:crcwel:wp08-05-ff is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Rebecca M. Ryan & Ariel Kalil & Lindsey J. Leininger, 2008. "Unwed Mothers' Private Safety Nets and Children's Socioemotional Wellbeing," Working Papers 1017, Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Research on Child Wellbeing..
    5. Kalil, Ariel & Dunifon, Rachel, 2007. "Maternal work and welfare use and child well-being: Evidence from 6 years of data from the Women's Employment Study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6), pages 742-761, June.
    6. Hila Axelrad & Erika L. Sabbath & Summer Sherburne Hawkins, 2018. "The 2008–2009 Great Recession and employment outcomes among older workers," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 35-45, March.
    7. Gunderson, Jill Marie & Hotchkiss, Julie L., 2007. "Job Separation Behavior of WOTC Workers: Results from a Unique Case Study," MPRA Paper 44801, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Ng, Irene Y.H. & Ho, Kong Weng & Nesamani, Tharmalingam & Lee, Alex & Liang, Ngiam Tee, 2012. "Designing and implementing an evaluation of a national work support program," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 78-87.
    9. Landivar, Liana Christin & Beckhusen, Julia, 2019. "Racial Disparities in Women's Mobility out of Retail and Service Occupations," SocArXiv ykufd, Center for Open Science.
    10. Jill Fitzpatrick & Julie L. Hotchkiss, 2009. "Job Separation Outcomes Of Welfare Hires: Insight From Linked Personnel And State Administrative Data," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 27(2), pages 137-146, April.
    11. Patrick Pilipiec & Wim Groot & Milena Pavlova, 2020. "A Longitudinal Analysis of Job Satisfaction During a Recession in the Netherlands," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 149(1), pages 239-269, May.
    12. Osborne, Cynthia & Knab, Jean, 2007. "Work, welfare, and young children's health and behavior in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6), pages 762-781, June.
    13. Wu, Chi-Fang, 2011. "Long-term employment and earnings among low-income families with children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 91-101, January.
    14. Jill Marie Gunderson & Julie L. Hotchkiss, 2006. "Welfare recipiency, job separation outcomes, and postseparation earnings: insight from linked personnel and state administrative data," FRB Atlanta Working Paper 2006-07, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
    15. Gennetian, Lisa A. & Hill, Heather D. & London, Andrew S. & Lopoo, Leonard M., 2010. "Maternal employment and the health of low-income young children," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 353-363, May.
    16. Kwon, Hyeok Chang & Meyer, Daniel R., 2011. "How do economic downturns affect welfare leavers? A comparison of two cohorts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 588-597, May.

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