The Happiness of Single Mothers after Welfare Reform

34 Pages Posted: 10 Mar 2009 Last revised: 11 Aug 2011

See all articles by John Ifcher

John Ifcher

Santa Clara University - Leavey School of Business - Economics Department

Date Written: May 1, 2010

Abstract

U.S. welfare programs were transformed over a decade ago. The changes were life altering for those on welfare, or prone to be. What was the impact on happiness? Using data from the General Social Survey and World Value Survey, a Difference in Difference test is performed. Specifically, the change in single mothers’ happiness before and after welfare reform is compared to the change in happiness of four comparison groups.

Welfare reform appears to increase happiness (predominantly by decreasing reports of low levels of happiness). The results are robust to various specification checks.

Alternate explanations, e.g., the EITC expansion, are considered.

Keywords: welfare reform, happiness, single mothers, welfare-to-work, difference-indifference

JEL Classification: I38, H53, D60

Suggested Citation

Ifcher, John, The Happiness of Single Mothers after Welfare Reform (May 1, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1352585 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1352585

John Ifcher (Contact Author)

Santa Clara University - Leavey School of Business - Economics Department ( email )

500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA California 95053
United States

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