How Much More Can They Work Setting Realistic Expectations for Welfare Mothers

Abstract

This paper uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to examine young women's work experiences over a fixed period to gauge how much additional work can be realistically expected from young welfare recipients. The analysis suggests that, even if states succeed in getting the most disadvantaged young welfare recipients into the labor market, the women are likely to continue to experience substantial periods of joblessness and may continue to need access to a safety net for an extended period.