Effects of a Two-Parent Welfare Program: Factors Associated With Time to Employment

Abstract

This article describes a study of time to employment for 502 randomly sampled participants in an experimental two-parent public assistance program. The study analyzed participant charac teristics, work-related program components, and labor market conditions as related to length of time to participant employment. Event history analysis was used to regress a proportional hazard rate of employment onto the explanatory vanables. A multivanate model of factors associated with the hazard rate for employment mcluded weeks unemployed prior to program apphcation, age in years, semirural district, Native American race, weeks employed at last job, years of education, and hourly wage of last employment. Findings support long-held assumptions regarding ties between two-parent families and the labor market. Implications for practice include caution against arbitrary program time limits and encouragement of policies that support and enable education and employment for families at risk of poverty.