Welcome to the CRCW

The Bendheim Thoman Center for Research on Child Wellbeing (CRCW) is an interdisciplinary center at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the Office of Population Research at Princeton University. Our mission is to stimulate basic research, educate faculty and students about issues related to children's policies, and influence policymakers and practitioners at the federal, state, and local levels. read more

In the News

Campaign Renews Scrutiny of Growing Food-Stamp Program
According to The Wall Street Journal, some feel the attacks made by Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich regarding the food stamp program are not well substantiated. Ron Haskins and others believe the program provides needed help to poor families during the financial crisis.

Are After-School Math Centers Really Worth the Money?
In the Boston Globe, Hilary Levey Friedman discusses the growing popularity of extracurricular math centers for children. There are many programs for parents to choose from but more research is needed to determine whether they actually improve student performance.

What High School is Worth on the Free Market
An article in The Economist draws on research by Cecilia Rouse to stress the importance of accessible higher education for all. Rouse estimates that each high school dropout costs the nation about $260,000 over her or his lifetime.

GOP Candidates Back Welfare Model for Food Stamps, Housing
According to the Huffington Post, some look to 1996 welfare reform as a model for cutting spending in other social programs, but CRCW Advisory Board Member Ron Haskins says a model like this doesn't work during a recession. Many are forced off welfare support with no work.

What's Happening at CRCW

See below for upcoming events at Princeton University and across the country.