Families on Welfare: Teenage Mothers Least Likely to Become
Self-Sufficient (Letter Report, 05/31/94, GAO/HEHS-94-115).

Women who gave birth as teenagers make up nearly half the welfare
caseload--a sizeable group.  GAO found that this group of women is less
likely to have high school diplomas and more likely to have larger
families.  Both these characteristics increase the likelihood of being
among the poorest welfare recipients.  Even though they work in the same
proportions as other women receiving welfare, they earn less and are
more likely to have total family income below 50 percent of the poverty
line.  Given these differences, teenage mothers may have the hardest
time earning their way off welfare and becoming self-sufficient.  As
Congress debates welfare reform, it may need to explore ways to
discourage young mothers from becoming welfare dependent and encourage
those that do to become more self-sufficient.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  HEHS-94-115
     TITLE:  Families on Welfare: Teenage Mothers Least Likely to Become 
             Self-Sufficient
      DATE:  05/31/94
   SUBJECT:  Single parents
             Children
             Welfare recipients
             Welfare benefits
             Public assistance programs
             Women
             Families
             Disadvantaged persons
             Demographic data
             Population growth
IDENTIFIER:  Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program
             Medicaid Program
             Food Stamp Program
             Census Bureau Current Population Survey
             HHS National Integrated Quality Control System
             AFDC
             
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