We write from our own experience as researchers on the integration of immigrants and their children, describing several ethical and research considerations that we addressed. In one study we examined the use of public benefits among immigrant families. This study posed issues regarding the selection of which "benefits" should be…

Used data from Baltimore Study to examine how African-American teenage mothers worked their way off welfare. Results revealed extensive labor market activity among young mothers on welfare. Found that education facilitated more rapid job exits and cumulative work experience among less-educated mothers allowed them to eventually work their way off…

Many issues remain unresolved when considering whether the welfare system perpetuates the poverty of its recipients. The debate often focuses on Blacks. No one considers factors such as the self-defined needs of the target population. Cuts in payment programs may be of some value but are not a panacea. (VM)

Life histories of 74 young black women were examined for direct and indirect transmission of values. Values about work and welfare were associated with employment and perceptions of future self-sufficiency. When such transmissions were unidimensional, limited, or absent, women were more likely to be unemployed and to perceive future economic…

Investigated possible score bias on the MMPI among Blacks and Mexican-Americans who were receiving aid to families with dependent children. (Author)

Analysis of Current Population Survey and Social Security data through 1985 did not support hypothesis that increase in median earnings of Black men after 1964 reflects labor force withdrawal of large numbers of low-income Black men who received government transfers. Of the total gain in relative earnings from 1964-85, only 14 percent can be…

The family is an important resource for minority persons, and many minority families depend on public welfare for their survival. This article offers a compact analysis of how welfare policies often work to the disadvantage of poor Black families. (Author)

Evaluation of the work experience and job training (WEJT) program of Kenosha County (Wisconsin) suggests that it has no effect on length of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), a preventive impact on AFDC cases headed by never-married African-American teenagers, and a negative impact on unemployed parent cases. (SLD)

Reviews trends in Black male unemployment, out-of-wedlock births, and the number of Aid to Families with Dependent Children cases over the past 25 years. Argues that family breakdown is creating a state of urban social chaos that could lead to martial law. (FMW)

Explores the nature of surplus population in a managerial society (perceived as a global trend toward ascendency of the technical intelligentsia and intellectuals) in contrast with the underclass under capitalism. Asserts that "the Law of the Progressive Elimination of Undesirable Population" guides the policies of the managerial class.…

Presents empirical evidence of an important benefit of education: reductions in welfare incidence. Compares cross-sectional data for black women during the late 1960s and the early 1980s. Findings show a strongly negative relationship between educational attainment and welfare incidence in both cross-sections in several statistical analyses. The…

In 1996, rural children had higher poverty and just-over poverty rates than urban children. Compared to rural white children, rural minority children had less-educated parents and were more likely to live in poverty, in families with a single parent or without an earner, and in families dependent on social-welfare programs. (Author/SV)

The number of poor elderly Blacks and the cost of health care are increasing. Even with Medicare there are out of pocket expenses for those who are least able to pay. Since racial bias may be a factor in triage, the best approach to reducing medical costs is prevention. (VM)

Analyzes the utilization of public assistance in the United States by immigrants and natives. Findings include the following: (1) despite higher poverty rates, immigrants had only minimally higher recipiency rates than natives; (2) immigrants were generally less likely than natives to receive assistance. (FMW)

The resourcefulness of poor Black female heads of households is shown in the methods they use to stretch and supplement their incomes, their ability to obtain help from their extended families, and their sharing of resources. Their responsibilities, however, lead to great emotional stress. (Author/MC)