http://action.web.ca/home/crru/rsrcs_crru_full.shtml?x=73897&AA_EX_Session=2fefca724957690e038b5662f7e1d42c

Author(s) Mendelson, Michael
Publication date 1 Feb 05
Source Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Availability - Report in pdf

Abstract:


This report addresses two critical questions in social policy: what is
child poverty and how much is an adequate child benefit? To answer these
questions, the report provides an analytic basis to distinguish between
poverty among families with children and that element of their poverty that
is properly understood as ‘child poverty.’ It argues that child benefits
should cover the incremental cost of raising a child in a family living
just above poverty levels. But to estimate an adequate child benefit, we
must then define ‘poverty.’ Building upon a critical review of Canadian and
international research, the report describes two alternative methodologies
that could be adopted to develop a well-grounded Canadian poverty line. The
report provides a number of preliminary quantitative estimates of the value
of an adequate child benefit according to these methodologies. This report
will challenge your understanding of ‘child poverty,’ how it should be
measured and the role of child benefits in addressing it.