Economic effects: distribution and employment : Side-effects of the proposals concerning basic income support for children

Abstract

"Previous proposals concerning basic income support for children have been kept very general and raise a great many questions. As a result, the project 'basic income support for children (Kindergrundsicherung)' does not yet seem convincing. This relates to the delimitation of child poverty, and with that its incidence, as well as the justification for the level of basic income support to be introduced for children. What additionally seems unclear is the interplay with the existing systems of social security and (re-)financing. And what is finally unclear are the social incentives and effects on the labour market and the public infrastructure. Some of these points will be scrutinized in this article.<br> Conclusions: Child poverty is a result of and part of the income poverty of the parents which predominantly results from unemployment, low wages and (too) low participation in gainful employment. Even if a generous basic income support for children is provided, children do not exit the context of poverty of their families unless the poverty of the parents is overcome as well. In this respect, independent basic income support for children is a statistical alibi, through which children are to be lifted out of poverty mathematically without taking the family context into consideration." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Rudolph, H. (2011): Ökonomische Auswirkungen: Verteilung und Beschäftigung. Nebenwirkungen der Vorschläge einer Kindergrundsicherung. In: J. Lange & F. Nullmeier (Hrsg.) (2011): Kindergrundsicherung: (K)eine gute Idee? (Loccumer Protokolle, 2010,84), p. 91-107.