Looking to the future: Welfare-reliant women talk about their job aspirations in the context of welfare reform

We examine the job aspirations of 80 Temporary Assistance for Needy Familie s (TANF) recipients in Cleveland and Philadelphia by drawing on data from i n-depth, qualitative interviews conducted in 1997-98 well after the Persona l Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act was implemented bu t before time limits were reached We shaw that these recipients view the wo rk mandates they face as legitimate and express optimism regarding future w ork and earnings prospects. They also desire more education. Although their earnings expectations are high, respondents' occupational goals are relati vely low, even among those with the most human capital. Furthermore, mother s say their vocational expectations reflect the urgency they feel about fin ding a job. We suggest that providing cash assistance while TANF recipients increase their human capital is critical for meeting the self-sufficiency goals of welfare reform.