RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Julia B. Isaacs, November 05, 2009, The Brookings Institution
The United States spends 2.4 times as much on the elderly as on children, measured on a per capita basis, with the ratio rising to 7 to 1 if looking just at the federal budget, Julia Isaacs finds. She looks at expenditures on children and the elderly in the United States compared to other countries and, from a life-cycle perspective, asks whether these spending patterns makes sense for the long-term good of our country. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Isabel V. Sawhill and Ron Haskins, November 01, 2009, The Washington Post
Americans have always believed that their country is unique in providing the opportunity to get ahead. Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill deconstruct five myths about economic mobility in the United States, saying that we need better policies to help create a true opportunity society. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Karen Dynan, October 28, 2009, National Forum to Encourage Lower-Income Household Savings
The current financial crisis has had a great impact on how Americans are saving. In a presentation for the “National Forum to Encourage Lower-Income Household Savings,” Karen Dynan explained that while aggregate personal saving should be markedly higher than before the crisis, it is difficult to predict the level of saving for lower-income households. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Washington, DC
On October 27, Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill discussed their new book, Creating an Opportunity Society, which explores what it will take to help more people achieve the American Dream. Read More
VIDEO
Ron Haskins and Isabel V. Sawhill, October 19, 2009
Despite its status as one of the world’s leading economies, the United States is faced with high poverty rates and less economic opportunity than many other affluent countries. Senior Fellows Isabel Sawhill and Ron Haskins, argue that it will take a combination of personal responsibility along with smarter and better-targeted government policies to make the American Dream a reality for children and families now stuck at the bottom.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Kneebone, October 19, 2009, Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity
The latest data from the Census Bureau reveal that the first year of the Great Recession boosted American poverty, but Sun Belt metro areas and large suburbs bore the brunt of poverty increases in 2008. Elizabeth Kneebone explores recent city and suburban poverty trends in this Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity article. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ron Haskins, October 16, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Ron Haskins argues that California's recent decision to allow a substantial number of its welfare recipients to avoid work requirements will reverse nearly a decade and a half of hard-won progress against parental idleness and child poverty. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ron Haskins, Christina Paxson and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn , October 01, 2009, Future of Children Policy Brief
In this policy brief, a companion to the volume of The Future of Children devoted to child maltreatment prevention, the authors examine evaluations of home-visiting programs designed to improve parenting and reduce child maltreatment and how policy makers are using social science evidence to identify and support successful programs. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard P. Barth and Ron Haskins, October 01, 2009, The Future of Children Policy Brief
This policy brief, a companion to the volume of The Future of Children devoted to child maltreatment prevention, the authors examine evaluations of home-visiting programs designed to improve parenting and reduce child maltreatment and how policy makers are using social science evidence to identify and support successful programs. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Isabel V. Sawhill, September 17, 2009, Fiscal Wake Up Tour
Isabel Sawhill explains why addressing rising health care costs has to be the first step in solving the nation’s long term fiscal problems. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Isabel V. Sawhill, September 16, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Isabel Sawhill examines the latest poverty statistics, concluding that with the policy community so heavily focused on health care reform, the plight of the least advantaged in our society is getting too little attention. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, September 10, 2009
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Washington, DC
On September 10, the day the U.S. Census Bureau releases its new report on poverty and family income for 2008, the Brookings Center on Children and Families held its seventh annual briefing to discuss the new figures and their implications for families and policymakers. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Emily Monea and Isabel V. Sawhill, September 10, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Emily Monea and Isabel Sawhill argue that in light of the projected increases in U.S. poverty levels, more attention should be paid to the adequacy of the safety net plus health care, education, job training and other means of insuring that more Americans are able to benefit from the opportunities that a growing economy will eventually provide. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Gary Burtless, September 10, 2009, Poverty and Income in 2008: A Look at the New Census Data and What the Numbers Mean
On September 10, the day the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual poverty report, Gary Burtless addressed the seventh annual the Brookings Center on Children and Families briefing and discussed the new figures and their implications for families and policymakers. Read More
VIDEO
Bruce Katz, July 09, 2009
Public housing has long been criticized as a breeding ground for concentrated poverty, under-achieving schools and for its lack of access to services. Bruce Katz says that President Obama's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, an expansion of HOPE VI, will revitalize poor communities while enhancing opportunities for residents and the business community.