Episode Details

For many, the logic seemed unassailable: Giving poor families money would measurably improve the lives of their children. And so a few years ago, social scientists set out to test whether that assumption was right.The results of the experiment have shocked them.

Guest: Jason DeParle, a Times reporter who covers poverty in the United States.Background reading: 

• A rigorous experiment appears to show that monthly checks intended to help disadvantaged children did little for their well-being.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Andrew Seng for The New York Times Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.