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Article
The Happiness of Single Mothers after Welfare Reform
Economics
  • John Ifcher, Santa Clara University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Publisher
De Gruyter
Disciplines
Abstract

U.S. welfare and tax policies targeting single mothers were transformed over a decade ago. What was the impact on single mothers' happiness? Using data from the General Social Survey, difference in difference estimators are calculated. The results appear to indicate that the package of welfare and tax policy changes increased happiness. The results are largely consistent across three comparison groups and robust to various specification checks. This research nicely complements the literature by examining the impact of the welfare and tax policy changes on a novel outcome measure, self-reported happiness.

Comments
Copyright © 2011 De Gruyter. All rights reserved.
Citation Information
John Ifcher (2011) "The Happiness of Single Mothers after Welfare Reform," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy: Vol. 11: Iss. 1 (Topics), Article 60.