2021-09-30-美国企业研究所-让美国人重新认识到工作的好处（英）_83页_2mb

Summary of Reconnecting Americans to the Benefits of Work

Executive Summary

This report examines the decline in prime-age labor force participation in the U.S. and attributes it primarily to voluntary disconnection from work, rather than external factors like declining wages or trade. Government programs and policies create disincentives that make work less attractive, leading to reduced labor force attachment. Reconnecting Americans to work through policy reforms can enhance economic, social, and mental well-being.

Key Findings

• Declining Labor Force Participation: Prime-age men and women have seen reduced labor force participation over decades, with men's rates declining notably. Many inactive men have legitimate reasons like education or retirement, but a significant portion would prefer not to work.

• Voluntary Disconnection: Inactivity is mostly voluntary, driven by personal choices and government benefits. Key evidence shows that demand-side factors like wage stagnation do not fully explain the trend.

• Government Incentives and Barriers: Programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and others disincentivize work by providing benefits with no requirements, making non-work more appealing. Regulations and licensing create unnecessary barriers for low-skilled workers.

• Benefits of Work: Employment provides not only income but also social capital, improving personal well-being, reducing isolation, and supporting community ties.

Policy Recommendations

• Remove Barriers to Work: Deregulate occupational licensing, allow flexible home-based businesses, reform non-compete agreements, and support reintegration of the formerly incarcerated.

• Fix Disincentives for Work: Strengthen work requirements in programs like TANF and SNAP, limit benefit cliffs, and reform disability programs to encourage labor force reentry.

• Boost Incentives to Work: Explore wage subsidies and better align worker skills with employer needs to enhance employment opportunities.

Conclusion

Reconnecting Americans to the workforce can significantly improve individual and societal outcomes, including economic productivity and social cohesion. Policymakers should focus on targeted reforms to address disincentives and barriers, promoting self-sufficiency and personal achievement through work.