Disaggregating the Impacts of Welfare Reform: Reflections on Five Studies

The five papers in this symposium advance the vital task of disaggregating the impacts of welfare reform. Four report differences across groups defined by location (rural or urban), types of TANF-eligible family, type of family structure, and race and ethnicity. The fifth reports few differences across race and ethnic groups. As our experience with TANF-style welfare grows and opportunities arise to reshape it, policy makers need to understand whether its impacts differ among subgroups, and why any differences exist. These studies provide useful points of departure for future research on these important policy issues.