Why Welfare Reform Critics Went Astray

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This article documents how welfare policies improved the material well‐being of the majority of welfare leavers during the economic boom. Critics ignored these broad gains and instead inflated the adverse effects on the poorest mothers and the role of conservative ideologies in promoting welfare reform. Critics also relied on older studies that proved to be poor guides to predicting the impact of welfare reform. In addition, critics did not accurately take into account important non‐material benefits and misread the role of other safety‐net programs.