Phillips (1981), in an outstanding essay on Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (a benefit in the US for single mothers on low incomes), points out that, if
considered from the point of view from financial incentives, the rule favours illegitimate
children, and in particular encourages women to have a first illegitimate child; it discourages
mothers from remarriage; it encourages mothers to put out the fathers, and discourages
the fathers from child support; it encourages mothers to stay at home to look after their
children, rather than working; it discourages them from allowing people not on benefit to
live with the household; it encourages, then, small family units who are less able to support
the child.