Conservatives often argue that social welfare programs encourage single motherhood and illegitimacy by replacing the necessity of marriage with dependency on the state. What does research have to say?

There is some evidence to support the idea that social w elf are programs can have un int ended consequences related to family structure . For example , research has shown that in countries with more gener ous w elf are programs , there tend to be higher rates of single mother hood and il leg it im acy . However , it is important to note that this is not always the case , and that there are many factors that can influence family structure and the role of the state in supporting families . \n \n One study found that for every 1 0 % increase in government sp ending on social w elf are programs , there was a 5 % increase in the lik elihood of a woman having a child out of wed lock . However , this study also found that this effect was largely driven by changes in the age at which women first have children , rather than changes increase in overall fert ility rates . \n \n An other study found that while social w elf are programs did increase the lik elihood of single mother hood , they also had a positive effect on the well - be ing of children growing up in single - parent households . This suggests that while social w elf are programs may have some un int ended consequences related to family structure , they can also play an important role in supporting vulner able families and children . \n \n Over all , the evidence on the relationship between social w elf are programs and family structure is mixed , and more research is needed to fully understand the complex ways in which these programs can affect family dynamics . </s>