Measures of Material Hardship

Abstract

Although there has been much discussion in the United States regarding the definition of economic poverty, we continue to measure poverty almost exclusively in terms of current income. However, there are many reasons to supplement measures of income-poverty with measures of material hardship. First, material hardship and income-poverty represent alternative conceptions of poverty. Second, material hardship is of both normative and instrumental concern. Third, hardship measures are useful tools for policy analysis, particularly in the context of welfare reform. Specific recommendations for developing and using hardship measures are presented.