Public Perceptions of Parenting and Work Behaviors of Mothers in Receipt of Welfare

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the attitudes of the American public toward income assistance programs and welfare-related gender roles, as we analyze data collected on respondents' attitudes on three different occasions between 1997 to 2002. Along with our analysis of the repeated measures over time, we consider questions pertaining specifically to welfare policy and welfare receipt, as well as questions that are related to welfare but are somewhat broader in nature. This includes questions pertaining to the role of women within the labor market and the impact of employment on mothers' relationships with their children.