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A 2023 Choice Reviews Outstanding Academic Title
This work assesses the possibilities and limitations of reducing poverty among families with children by increasing the work effort of the adults in those families. Following a historical review of family poverty since 1995, the authors present several policy simulations, including increased employment, a higher minimum wage, more generous tax credits, a child allowance, and reduced childcare or medical expenses. Specific policy proposals-including the proposals of the Biden Administration-are assessed using four criteria: reducing child poverty; equitable treatment of the poorest groups; promotion of self-sufficiency; and cost-effectiveness. The authors conclude that while no single policy is able to reduce family poverty by half while meeting the other criteria, several combinations of policies have the potential to do so.
List of contents
Chapter One: Twenty-first Century Families with Children in the United States
Chapter Two: Work and Wages: Understanding the U.S. Economy and the Poor
Chapter Three: From Work to SPM Family Poverty
Chapter Four: Wage Policies, Work Policies, and Other Policies-Which Policies Work?
Chapter Five: Detailed Proposals and Their Cost
About the author
Andrea L. Ziegert is Julian H. Robertson, Jr. professor of economics at Denison University.
Dennis Sullivan is emeritus professor of economics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Summary
This book evaluates the effectiveness of multiple policy proposals—including those of the Biden Administration—in reducing poverty among families with children. The authors argue that no single policy is sufficient in itself; successful programs rely on some combination of increased work effort, higher wages, and government benefits.
