February 21, 2025

Work and the social safety net among first-time mothers: Lessons for family policy

This research seminar led by Professor David Rothwell focuses on advancing family policies to combat poverty, emphasizing solutions like universal basic income and comprehensive paid leave.

The discussion highlights the role of first-time mothers in the workforce, the impact of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) on low-income families, and the importance of policy adaptations at state levels.

Utilizing Oregon’s administrative data, the seminar analyzes TANF enrollment patterns around childbirth and explores ways to improve social safety nets for marginalized groups.

The seminar underscores the necessity of modernizing policies to support increased female workforce participation and reduce inequality, all while navigating the complexities of data analysis in the U.S. context.

Speaker

David Rothwell, MSW, PhD serves as the Barbara Knudson Chair in Family Policy and Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State University, where he leads groundbreaking research on poverty, families, and social policy. With degrees from Pitzer College, Tulane University, and a PhD from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, followed by postdoctoral work at the National University of Singapore, Rothwell brings a global perspective to his studies of economic inequality and family wellbeing. His research portfolio spans child poverty, financial asset measurement, and the economic challenges faced by families with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Drawing from his background as a social worker in mental health and community economic development, Rothwell’s work is supported by major grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, while he maintains connections with McGill University as an adjunct professor.