<P> In addition to marriage and divorce, welfare reform was also concerned about unwed childbearing . Specific provisions in TANF were aimed at reducing unwed childbearing . For example, TANF provided cash bonuses to states with the largest reductions in unwed childbearing that are not accompanied by more abortions . States were also required to eliminate cash benefits to unwed teens under age 18 who did not reside with their parents . TANF allowed states to impose family caps on the receipt of additional cash benefits from unwed childbearing . Between 1994 and 1999, unwed childbearing among teenagers declined 20 percent among 15 - to 17 - year - olds and 10 percent among 18 - and 19 - year - olds . In a comprehensive cross-state comparison, Horvath - Rose & Peters (2002) studied nonmarital birth ratios with and without family cap waivers over the 1986 - 1996 period, and they found that family caps reduced nonmarital ratios . Any fears that family caps would lead to more abortions was allayed by declining numbers and rates of abortion during this period . </P> <P> Proponents of welfare reform argued that encouraging maternal employment will enhance children's cognitive and emotional development . A working mother, proponents assert, provides a positive role model for her children . Opponents, on the other hand, argued that requiring women to work at low pay puts additional stress on mothers, reduces the quality time spent with children, and diverts income to work - related expenses such as transportation and childcare . Evidence is mixed on the impact of TANF on child welfare . Duncan & Chase - Lansdale (2001) found that the impact of welfare reform varied by age of the children, with generally positive effects on school achievement among elementary - school age children and negative effects on adolescents, especially with regards to risky or problematic behaviors . Another study found large and significant effects of welfare reform on educational achievement and aspirations, and on social behavior (i.e. teacher assessment of compliance and self - control, competence and sensitivity). The positive effects were largely due to the quality of childcare arrangement and afterschool programs that accompanied the move from welfare to work for these recipients . Yet another study found that substitution from maternal care to other informal care had caused a significant drop in performance of young children . In a program with less generous benefits, Kalili et al. (2002) found that maternal work (measured in months and hours per week) had little overall effect on children's antisocial behavior, anxious / depressed behavior or positive behavior . They find no evidence that children were harmed by such transitions; if anything, their mothers report that their children are better behaved and have better mental health . </P> <P> Synthesizing findings from an extensive selection of publications, Golden (2005) reached the conclusion that children's outcomes were largely unchanged when examining children's developmental risk, including health status, behavior or emotional problems, suspensions from school, and lack of participation in extracurricular activities . She argues that contrary to the fears of many, welfare reform and an increase in parental work did not seem to have reduced children's well - being overall . More abused and neglected children had not entered the child welfare system . However, at the same time, improvement in parental earnings and reductions in child poverty had not consistently improved outcomes for children . </P> <P> While the material and economic well - being of welfare mothers after the enactment of TANF has been the subject of countless studies, their mental and physical well - being has received little attention . Research on the latter has found that welfare recipients face mental and physical problems at rates that are higher than the general population . Such problems which include depression, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and domestic violence mean that welfare recipients face many more barriers to employment and are more at risk of welfare sanctions due to noncompliance with work requirements and other TANF regulations Research on the health status of welfare leavers have indicated positive results . Findings from the Women's Employment Study, a longitudinal survey of welfare recipients in Michigan, indicated that women on welfare but not working are more likely to have mental health and other problems than are former welfare recipients now working . Similarly, interviews with now employed welfare recipients find that partly as a result of their increased material resources from working, the women felt that work has led to higher self - esteem, new opportunities to expand their social support networks, and increased feelings of self - efficacy . Furthermore, they became less socially isolated and potentially less prone to depression . At the same time, however, many women were experiencing stress and exhaustion from trying to balance work and family responsibilities . </P>

The welfare reform act of 1996 (tanf or temporary assistance for needy families) emphasized