Work

Welfare Work Requirements and Child Well-Being: Evidence from the Effects on Breast-Feeding

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: A central theme of welfare reform is that recipients are required to engage in work activities. In many states, these work requirements apply to mothers whose children are a few months old, which may increase the costs and decrease the prevalence of breast-feeding. Given the substantial benefits of breast-feeding, any reduction represents an important negative consequence of these requirements. Our results suggest that in the absence of welfare reform, the national breast-feeding rate six months after birth would have been 5.5% higher in 2000. Such negative consequences of these policies must be weighed against potential benefits as states refine their welfare programs.

Source: Demography

DOI: 10.1353/dem.2003.0023

Authors: Steven J. Haider, Alison Jacknowitz, Robert F. Schoeni

Institutions: Michigan State University, RAND School of Public Policy, University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service