John Knowles: Published Papers

Title: Women on Welfare: A Macroeconomic Analysis

Authors: Jeremy Greenwood, Nezih Guner and John Knowles

Journal: American Economic Review, Papers and Proceedings, May 2000

First Version: July, 1999

Abstract:

. In 1960 only 1.7 percent of the population was on AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) while in 1995 about 5.2 percent were. Most mothers who received AFDC were single; 71 percent were in 1993. Also, AFDC mothers tended to have more children (2.6 on average versus 2.1 for the population as a whole in 1993). Last, it is interesting to note that real AFDC benefits rose by about 70 percent between 1945 and 1977. They were about 25 percent higher in 1995 than in 1945. Could this have contributed to the rise in single motherhood?

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