Strengthening Social Programs to Promote Economic Stability During Childhood

Abstract

Economic instability has increased in recent decades and is higher for families with low incomes and Black families. Such instability is thought to be driven primarily by precarious work and unstable family structure. In addition, the social safety net has become less of a stabilizing force for low‐income families, in part because benefits are often tied to employment and earnings. Too much change in economic circumstances may disrupt investments in children, parenting practices, and family routines—particularly if the economic changes are unpredictable, undesired, or not part of upward mobility. Given the considerable evidence that economic circumstances affect child health and development, economic stability can and should be an important goal of multiple policy domains. In this report, we describe economic instability, review the pertinent theories for considering how economic instability might matter to children, and describe ideas for policies that could reduce or moderate instability. We include policies that reduce instability in earnings, use public assistance to stabilize income or reduce material hardship, or enhance parents' capacity to deal with or avoid instability.

Parents' Perspectives on a Computer Game–Assisted Rehabilitation Program for Manual Dexterity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Qualitative Analysis of Expectations, Child Engagement, and Benefits

“…For example, the games selected included activities for logic, problem-solving, visual search and attention, cognitive inhibition, set-shifting, verbal and nonverbal memory, color and shape recognition, and others. Previous studies have reported that the use of computer games as well as educational computer programs can benefit from academically relevant content and other cognitive skills [ 35 ]. Parents from the CG also reported that, following the supervised therapy program, their children had improved fine motor skills.…”

The Impact of the Economic Corridor on Economic Stability: A Double Mediating Role of Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Development Under the Exceptional Circumstances of COVID-19

“…The involvement of Chinese visitors and the government has changed this situation altogether. The improved revenue generation has made remarkable progressive outcomes to support Pakistan’s economy ( Hardy et al, 2019 ). China has advertised Pakistani tourist destinations and made them more attractive for foreigners to visit them without any security-related concerns.…”

What Policies Advance Infants and Toddlers? Evidence to Inform State and Federal Options

“…We largely set aside the workings and child‐level benefits of income‐support policies. A recent Social Policy Report examined this field in detail (Hardy, Hill, & Romich, 2019). Evidence is accumulating on efforts to provide a universal basic income to all families as well (Hoynes & Rothstein, 2019).…”