RESUMO
We investigate the extent and implications of cohabitation and marriage among U.S. welfare recipients. An analysis of four data sets (the Current Population Survey, the National Survey of Families and Households, the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth) shows significant numbers of cohabitors among recipients of AFDC. An even more surprising finding is the large number of married women on welfare. We also report the results of a telephone survey of state AFDC agencies conducted to determine state rules governing cohabitation and marriage. The survey results indicate that, in a number of respects, AFDC rules encourage cohabitation. Finally, we conduct an analysis of the impact of AFDC rules on cohabitation, marriage, and single motherhood and find weak evidence in support of incentives to cohabit.
Assuntos
Ajuda a Famílias com Filhos Dependentes/estatística & dados numéricos , Características da Família , Estado Civil/estatística & dados numéricos , Mães/estatística & dados numéricos , Pais Solteiros/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Escolaridade , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Estudos Longitudinais , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Motivação , Seguridade Social/estatística & dados numéricos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This article reports the results of a survey of State Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) rules regarding the treatment of unrelated cohabitors in households containing AFDC units. We examine State treatment of cash and in-kind contributions by cohabitors and find that the AFDC grant is usually not affected in the cohabitor makes in-kind contributions toward food and shelter expenses of the household. However, the grant generally is reduced if the cohabitor contributes cash to the AFDC unit unless the cash is for shared household expenses. In addition, a few States have specific policies toward cohabitors that are not based on initial evidence of cohabitor contributions.
