If we truly care about ending poverty, why aren't we creating more incentives for people to get married — or join in a civil union — and stay that way?
Children from families where there are two responsible parents are far less likely to grow up poor. I'm not blaming anyone. This is what the numbers say.
The problem is how to promote marriage, which is a private decision. It's well-known that initiatives to teach abstinence education have failed in the war against teen pregnancy. Efforts to teach poor people about marriage would certainly meet a similar fate.
the earned income tax credit
Under the program, the more a low-income person earns, the greater the tax break.
If the credits were expanded to target more men with children, as Mayor Bloomberg would like to do, it could bring more men back into the workforce, while also strengthening families.
clipped from: www.courant.com