An Individual-Level Study on the Role of Welfare Participation in the Relationship between Motherhood and Desistance

• In Event: Using Longitudinal Data to Study The Causes and Consequences of Criminal Justice Contact Over the Lifecourse.

Abstract

Existing county-level evidence maintains that certain amount of relief in economic distress in the form of welfare support is a viable crime-reducing strategy (Hannon and Defronzo 1998, 1998). While evidence has shown that entering motherhood is related to a decrease in crime (Kreager et al 2010), no study has yet examined the connection between welfare and crime using individual-level data. To further investigate this relationship, I use National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 to explore the underlying mechanism of motherhood and crime – whether maternal welfare enrollment (such as TANF and WIC) serves as a moderator in this relationship and helps mothers desist from crime.

Authors

• Siyu Liu, University at Albany, SUNY

• Jaeok Kim, University at Albany, SUNY