Explores what "The New Americans: Economic, Demographic, and Fiscal Effects of Immigration" study by the National Research Council actually says about the effects of immigration, considering the negative wage effects of immigration on the poor and the fact that immigration is not the benefit to the economy it once was thought to be. (SLD)

Stresses the need to align policy with what is known about the importance of certain behaviors in reducing poverty and inequality, focusing on ideology versus reality; the importance of work; behavior as a matter of choice versus opportunity; the influence of marriage on poverty; and how public policy can prevent a widening of the country's…

Discusses various viewpoints on poverty. Contrasts progressive-era politics with today's dependency politics. Differing views of the poor and the causes of poverty impede the implementation of the new paternalistic programs which have, in some places, begun to succeed. Urges a consensus. (DM)

Discusses the British underclass, a subgroup of poor people who live off mainstream society without participating in it. Examines the underclass' roots in illegitimacy, crime, and voluntary unemployment. Suggests that well-intentioned social policies have removed incentives for change. (FMW)

Changes in parenting behavior have led to the troubling situation called the "feminization of poverty." Families headed by divorced women are doing better than is commonly supposed. Families headed by never-married women are doing worse. Public policy should reflect the differing needs of these two groups. (VM)

Examines subgroups of the homeless population and their needs for shelter. Argues that governments and charities should make distinctions among the highly diverse groups of the homeless and cease providing unlimited and unconditional aid to the able bodied, which tends to ensnare youth in the culture of dependency. (FMW)

Poverty is caused by barriers and traps in the economy. Participation in the labor force does not necessarily signal an end to poverty. Increasing one's educational level can help, but other factors such as age, marital status, disabilities, number of children, and geographic location can be stronger influences. (VM)

Welfare work programs are a form of welfare fraud. They engender little change compared to the resources that go into them. The most promising policies for reducing welfare roles are the following: (1) support of children by absent parents; (2) tax credit systems; (3) improvements in public education; and (4) provision of health care. (VM)

Argues that the economic functions of families should be redefined, so that the contributions of all family members to income are recognized; and also that it must be decided whether, for purposes of social policy or even economic policy, the welfare of the individual or of the family will be the criterion for establishing goals. (Author/JM)

Discusses the definition, size and composition, and growth of the underclass. Suggests the following policy directions: (1) invest in children; (2) provide support for families who want to move out of the ghetto; and (3) replace the welfare system with income support more closely tied to employment. (FMW)

Explores the increasing paternalism of American social policy in light of welfare reforms that require the government to supervise poor citizens to ensure that they comply with requirements for assistance. Reviews the development of paternalistic programs and the prospects for a future that requires less government supervision with more help from…

Most adolescent mothers are unmarried and on welfare. Congress enacted new welfare legislation that emphasizes reducing teen pregnancy and requiring work, but states are reluctant to meet this challenge. Discusses child poverty's new face, public policy and culture wars, welfare reform, and social norms. Concludes that reducing unwed parenthood…

Argues that increasing welfare dependence and family breakdown among the poor are not the result of the Great Society social programs but were set to occur before any Great Society policies. Issues long ignored must be faced if today's social problems are to be solved. (SLD)