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Sharp Reduction in Black Child Poverty Due to Welfare Reform
Heritage Foundation PolicyWire ^ | June12, 2003 | Melissa G. Pardue

Posted on 06/14/2003 12:02:50 PM PDT by bruinbirdman

Over six years ago, Congress overhauled much of the nation's welfare system. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 19961 replaced the failed social program called Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). The reform legislation had three primary goals: (1) reduce welfare dependence and increase employment, (2) reduce child poverty, and (3) reduce illegitimacy and strengthen marriage.

At the time of the law's enactment, many liberal groups made dire predictions about the terrible effect these reforms would have on America's children. In particular, the Children's Defense Fund claimed that welfare reform would cast millions more children into poverty and hunger.

These predictions were wrong, and welfare reform in fact produced the opposite results. Many groups, including academic institutions and public policy organizations, have published a wide variety of research showing the reform's undeniable success. The documentation of this success has already begun to play a crucial role in the TANF reauthorization process scheduled in Congress for the coming months.

Reduced Black Child Poverty

In the almost seven years since the welfare reform law was enacted, economic conditions have improved dramatically for America's poorest families. Welfare rolls have plummeted, employment of single mothers has increased dramatically, and child hunger has declined substantially. Most striking, however, has been the effect of welfare reform on child poverty, particularly among black children.

However, a report recently released by the Children's Defense Fund shows that the number of black children under age 18 living in extreme poverty increased to nearly one million in 2001.5 Extreme poverty is defined as having an after-tax income of less than half of the federally defined poverty line. For a family of three, the poverty line was $14,128 in 2001, which would make the extreme poverty line $7,064 for that year. These findings show an increase of roughly 145,000 black children in the extreme poverty category since the enactment of welfare reform.

Although not incorrect, these findings can mislead readers about the success of welfare reform by focusing on a narrow slice of the entire child poverty population that has otherwise significantly improved under the reformed welfare system. While the number of black children living in extreme poverty is certainly a cause for concern, the overall level of child poverty, particularly among black children, has made tremendous progress:

{} For the 25 years prior to welfare reform, the percentage of black children living in poverty remained virtually unchanged.

{} Since welfare reform, the poverty rate among black children has dropped by one-fourth, falling from 41.5 percent in 1995 to 30.0 percent in 2001.

{}The black child poverty rate is at its lowest point in U.S. history.

{} Since welfare reform, over 1.2 million black children have been lifted out of poverty.

{} Since welfare reform, six black children have been made better off and lifted out of poverty for every black child whose economic condition has worsened.


(Excerpt) Read more at heritage.org ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: afdc; african; black; cdbg; foodstamps; heritage; heritagefoundation; innercity; labor; poverty; section8; selfsufficiency; selfsufficient; singlemother; singleparents; ssbg; taxes; welfare; welfarereform; wic; work
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To: PhilDragoo
ROFLOL!!! Wonderful thought too -- Wicked witch of the Northeast!
21 posted on 06/14/2003 7:47:41 PM PDT by PhiKapMom (Bush Cheney '04 - VICTORY IN '04 -- $4 for '04 - www.GeorgeWBush.com/donate/)
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To: bruinbirdman
"Black Birth Rate for Single Women Is at 40-Year Low"

Poverty among children is decreasing because fewer women are thinking it's a great idea to have children they cannot support

22 posted on 06/14/2003 7:55:47 PM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Java/C++/Unix/Web Developer looking for next gig)
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To: Mo1
I suggest that this strengthening of the family is also responsible for the lowering of the teen pregnancy rate as well. When dignity is returned to the family, all the members act accordingly.

For this we can thank the republicans who acted with principle during the previous administration.

23 posted on 06/14/2003 7:58:54 PM PDT by OldFriend (Hilary Knew)
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To: bruinbirdman
bump
24 posted on 06/14/2003 8:37:52 PM PDT by RippleFire
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To: PhiKapMom
Yes, you're right. Sad isn't it. And their hearts almost stopped when Bush proposed churches as a fall back means of support for those down on their luck.

Personally I think churches are an excellent way to get people reconnected to society on a number of levels, support, employment and interpersonal relationships. And most churches aren't looking to convert these people. They just like to do something they think Jesus would be proud of.

Our church has a Dorcus society that has hand-me-down clothes donated etc. Sometimes toys and other things are available as well. I'd be willing to bet that most churches have such a society or help group.

They also sometimes have bread that people have donated and they've frozen some loaves. When people get down, they can help out with those too.

The idea is to give a helping hand up, not just a hand out. That's why I think it's so much more an enriching program than welfare. And as I said, most churches have this type of program operated in much the same way.

This must really bother the left. They never acknowledge or seem to support it, or refer people to it publicly. LOL
25 posted on 06/14/2003 9:13:09 PM PDT by DoughtyOne
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To: bruinbirdman; mhking; rdb3; mafree
The chart does not go with the article. The article attributes the decrease in black child poverty to the welfare reform of '96 but the chart clearly shows levels dropping since '92 when the economic boom started up again. If you go by the chart, black poverty is more closely tied to the economy than welfare reform.
26 posted on 06/14/2003 9:22:24 PM PDT by farmfriend ( Isaiah 55:10,11)
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To: bruinbirdman
Thanks, good one to bookmark. There is still a lot of work to be done in the inner city, the ghettos are terrible especially in large urban areas like Newark, NYC, LA, etc.

Welfare is nothing more than institutional or government slavery.

They give a small amount of money, food subsidies and housing in a very small apartment, they never train the men and women on welfare for a good job and try to break the families apart by penalizing them if the father lives at home. Single parenting went through the roof when the welfare state was created. ALL FOR DEMONCRAT VOTES!! I just hope they get them all off of the public dole eventually.
27 posted on 06/14/2003 9:22:43 PM PDT by Coleus (God is Pro Life and Straight http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/notify?detach=1)
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To: DoughtyOne
You sound like J.C., my former Congressman who is a huge believer in Faith Based Initiatives as he feels churches are better prepared to deal with these type of problems then the federal government's handout program. His philosophy of giving people in need a helping hand and not a handout is very popular around this area.

This area is filled with different groups that are there to give people that are down on their luck a helping hand! Time after time the people that have been helped turn around and help others. Habitat for Humanity has built numerous homes here in our area and not one of them has fallen into disrepair. Lawns are mowed, flowers/gardens planted, and the people are taking great care of their homes and helping to build other ones. They have a Christmas in July program here in town where they go and help elderly fix up their homes.

Just believe that faith based and other organizations so do so much more than handouts from the Feds direct to the people!

Sure do miss him as my Congressman!







28 posted on 06/14/2003 9:41:19 PM PDT by PhiKapMom (Bush Cheney '04 - VICTORY IN '04 -- $4 for '04 - www.GeorgeWBush.com/donate/)
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To: PhiKapMom

I like JC also.  On one of my trips back to Washington, D.C. I was able to take this photo.

There, hope this helps.

29 posted on 06/14/2003 9:51:00 PM PDT by DoughtyOne
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To: farmfriend
The chart clearly shows the poverty rate over 40 million from 1970 until 1995. Repubs took the House in the 1994 elections and have been a factor since January, 1995.
30 posted on 06/14/2003 9:51:25 PM PDT by bruinbirdman (Veritas Vos Liberabit)
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To: PhiKapMom
P.S., I'd like Habitat for Humanity a lot more if Jimmy Carter wouldn't remind me he's a member every time he appears in public.

Newt's a member too, and I saw him mention it once because he was asked about it.

Carter will interrupt the interviewer if they don't mention it. And he doesn't tell anyone about the org, just that he works for them. Anotherwords, aren't I a great guy? Sheesh.
31 posted on 06/14/2003 9:53:32 PM PDT by DoughtyOne
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To: PhiKapMom
This article reminds me of a story Rush related last week.

Paraphrase: A Kentucky dem made a statement regarding the Kentucky gubernatorial race. He said that the state was made up of mostly poor and 'regular' people who NEEDED the dem party that has almost exclusively held the governor's mansion. (someone that subscribes to Rush might be able to provide details like a name)

Yeah, right! If they can still be categorized as poor and regular, the dems have sure done them a lot of good! The dem success depends upon keeping people 'in their place' and thinking they NEED the dems.

Should drive the rats crazy to read reports like this!

32 posted on 06/14/2003 9:59:16 PM PDT by windchime
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To: bruinbirdman; mhking; rdb3; mafree
I'm not disputing that Republican policies have reduced black poverty. I would have expected them to. I will continue to push for them on the grounds that all are better off. I believe in welfare reform as well. However, I disagree with this articles conclusions that welfare reform was responsible for the drop in poverty since levels were obviously on the decline for several years prior to it's enactment.
33 posted on 06/14/2003 11:32:28 PM PDT by farmfriend ( Isaiah 55:10,11)
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To: farmfriend
And just what was responsible for all that economic growth and when did it start?

yitbos

34 posted on 06/15/2003 12:02:02 AM PDT by bruinbirdman (Veritas Vos Liberabit)
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To: bruinbirdman
And just what was responsible for all that economic growth and when did it start?

Did you miss the part of my post that said Republican policies were responsible? Stop trying to make me the oposition. All I'm saying is that crediting this to welfare reform is wrong as the numbers clearly show that the trend started well before the reforms were inacted.

35 posted on 06/15/2003 12:21:17 AM PDT by farmfriend ( Isaiah 55:10,11)
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To: PhiKapMom

36 posted on 06/15/2003 5:44:37 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Check out my Freeper site !: http://home.attbi.com/~freeper/wsb/index.html)
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To: PhiKapMom
bump-thanks for ping...
37 posted on 06/15/2003 8:37:03 AM PDT by VOA
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To: VOA
nb. Hillary's line about people "slipping into poverty." And the dem's so very concerned to get them $400 to just barely keep them out." They are such cheapskates and hypocrites!

Meanwhile, she's going for the big banana--$8 million.

38 posted on 06/15/2003 12:47:49 PM PDT by ClaireSolt
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To: DoughtyOne
Thanks for posting! Best Congressman I have ever had -- just waiting from him to become my Senator or next Governor!
39 posted on 06/16/2003 8:37:47 AM PDT by PhiKapMom (Bush Cheney '04 - VICTORY IN '04 -- $4 for '04 - www.GeorgeWBush.com/donate/)
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To: DoughtyOne
I would too -- Carter really turns me off! Here in this area, Carter has stayed away, and it was supported by Governor and Mrs. Keating, Governor and Mrs. Huckabee, and believe it was the Kansas Governor and his wife.

Several years ago, the three wives of the Governors were helping put a roof on one of the houses. Here in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, Republicans got involved big time -- maybe that's why Carter stayed away!

40 posted on 06/16/2003 8:40:29 AM PDT by PhiKapMom (Bush Cheney '04 - VICTORY IN '04 -- $4 for '04 - www.GeorgeWBush.com/donate/)
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