Annotated Bibliography: Minimum Wage As An Essential Tool

Annotated Bibliography A minimum wage is an essential tool in the lives of poor households in America

Provide an annotated bibliography of sources relevant to the impact of the minimum wage on poverty reduction in America. Explain how each source will be utilized in research, including summaries of their content and their relevance to the topic. The sources should include scholarly journal articles, research studies, and credible reports, with clear indications of their credibility and relevance to understanding the effects of minimum wage policies on employment, income inequality, child maltreatment, and poverty alleviation.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the relationship between minimum wage policies and poverty reduction in America necessitates examining multiple scholarly sources that explore various dimensions of this complex issue. The selected sources provide empirical evidence, theoretical insights, and international perspectives, which collectively contribute to a comprehensive analysis.

The first source, Clemens and Wither (2019), investigates the effects of the minimum wage during the Great Recession, revealing that low-skilled workers experienced employment declines when the minimum wage was adhered to strictly. This research underscores the potential negative employment effects of minimum wage increases during economic downturns, which I will incorporate to argue that while raising the minimum wage can reduce poverty, it may also pose employment risks under certain economic conditions. The study's credibility stems from its publication in the Journal of Public Economics, a reputable peer-reviewed journal, and its use of robust empirical methods focusing on a significant national economic event.

Next, David, Manning, and Smith (2016) reassess the impact of minimum wages on wage inequality over three decades in the US. They find that minimum wage policies effectively narrow wage disparities among low earners, although the magnitude of impact is smaller than earlier estimates. I will utilize this source to support the argument that minimum wage increases are instrumental in reducing income inequality, which is a critical component of poverty alleviation. This source is credible due to its publication in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics and its rigorous econometric analysis, making its findings a valuable contribution to the policy debate.

Devereux (2005) explores the potential of minimum wages as anti-poverty measures in developing countries, demonstrating that minimum wage policies can raise earnings and reduce poverty if designed carefully. Although focused on international contexts, this source provides relevant insights into the conditions under which minimum wages can effectively target poverty and the importance of minimal negative side effects. I will incorporate this perspective to argue that similar mechanisms can be effective in the US, emphasizing the need for well-structured minimum wage policies tailored to specific economic environments.

Dube (2019) offers empirical evidence that increasing the minimum wage can positively influence family incomes and reduce reliance on public assistance programs. This study lends support to policies aimed at directly raising earnings among low-income families, which I will use to bolster arguments about the social safety net's complementarity with minimum wage increases. The credibility of this research is reinforced by its publication in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics and its comprehensive analysis of income distribution patterns.

MaCurdy (2015) evaluates whether raising the minimum wage effectively supports the poor, emphasizing that employment support remains a crucial factor. It argues that employment, in addition to wage increases, influences consumer behavior and overall family well-being. I will use this study to highlight the importance of combining minimum wage policies with employment support strategies to maximize poverty reduction outcomes, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of effective anti-poverty measures.

Raissian and Bullinger (2017) explore the connection between minimum wages and child maltreatment rates, presenting evidence that higher wages correlate with reduced maltreatment in low-income families. This link illustrates a broader social benefit of minimum wage policies extending beyond income metrics. I will cite this study to demonstrate how minimum wage increases can lead to healthier family environments and better child welfare outcomes, adding a nuanced dimension to my analysis of poverty alleviation strategies.

Finally, Slonimczyk and Skott (2012) analyze how minimum wages influence employment, wage distribution, and education levels, suggesting that moderate increases can promote equity among low-skilled workers. Their findings support the notion that carefully calibrated minimum wage policies can enhance labor market fairness without significant adverse effects. I intend to integrate this perspective into my discussion on balancing minimum wage increases with maintaining employment opportunities for vulnerable populations.

In summary, each of these sources provides crucial insights into different facets of minimum wage policy effects, reinforcing the argument that while higher wages can contribute significantly to reducing poverty and inequality, they must be implemented thoughtfully to mitigate potential employment drawbacks. The combination of empirical data, international comparisons, and social impact studies enriches my research, ensuring a nuanced and evidence-based approach to understanding how minimum wages function as tools for social justice.

References

• Clemens, J., & Wither, M. (2019). The minimum wage and the Great Recession: Evidence of effects on the employment and income trajectories of low-skilled workers. Journal of Public Economics, 170, 53-67.
• David, H., Manning, A., & Smith, C. L. (2016). The contribution of the minimum wage to US wage inequality over three decades: a reassessment. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 8(1), 58-99.
• Devereux, S. (2005). Can minimum wages contribute to poverty reduction in poor countries? Journal of International Development, 17(7), 929-959.
• Dube, A. (2019). Minimum wages and the distribution of family incomes. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 11(4), 1-27.
• MaCurdy, T. (2015). How effective is the minimum wage at supporting the poor? Journal of Political Economy, 123(2), 297–340.
• Raissian, K. M., & Bullinger, L. R. (2017). Money matters: Does the minimum wage affect child maltreatment rates? Children and Youth Services Review, 72, 60-70.
• Slonimczyk, F., & Skott, P. (2012). Employment and distribution effects of the minimum wage. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 84(1), 238-251.