In the short run, these changes are likely to increase poverty among children. The long-term effects are not clear. Many people favoring the recent welfare reform admit the consequences are unknown, but feel any change is better than the status quo. The increased efforts to move welfare recipients into the work force is a move in the right direction, but few policymakers seem to appreciate how difficult this will be. Further, getting a job does not necessarily pull a family out of poverty.
Welfare reform is likely to add to the already expanding ranks of the working poor.
And, welfare reform is unlikely to stop the growth of female-headed households, erase racial differences in poverty, or slow the geographic concentration of poverty. This text may not be reproduced or reprinted in any form without the express written permission of the Population Reference Bureau. See our copyright policy .