Child Poverty and the Ameliorative Effects of Public Assistance

In: Social science quarterly, Band 74, Heft 3, S. 542-559

Abstract

Decennial US census data, 1970-1990, are analyzed to document trends in the utilization & ameliorative effects of public assistance among poor children. Results show: (1) a marked increase since 1970 in the % of poor children receiving public assistance; (2) a sharp rise in poor children's reliance on public assistance vis-a-vis parental earnings; & (3) stagnation or even deterioration in the ameliorative effects of public assistance on child poverty during the 1980s. 4 Tables, 23 References. Adapted from the source document.