Educational attainment of parents. Research also tells us that parental education has a direct relationship to a child's own educational development. And we know that education level is the strongest determinant in gaining access to decent-paying jobs. These facts indicate that we should include genuine education options in welfare reform, and that the education provided should be of reasonable length to develop the skills required by the current labor market. This strategy can benefit children by improving their cognitive development as well as the family's income.
Adequate income is clearly a predictor of child well-being.
The family needs an income for shelter, nutrition, and the basic needs of daily living. The deprivation created by a lack of funds for these essentials has a uniformly negative effect on child development. In addition to preparing adults for decent jobs, welfare reform should include strong child support components that enhance whatever income a single parent can earn. This also means that we should be cautious in using time limits. If we shorten the period we allow welfare mothers to obtain training, we preclude their entry to work that will later sustain the family and lower their poverty level.