Blog 9: Feminization of Poverty

In my Social Justice class, we have been working on a semester long group project. My groups topic is the feminization of poverty. I did not know much about this topic before we started researching it. I have realized how big of an issue this is and the lack of programs there are. The largest gap in poverty is currently between women and men. Our group decided to specifically focus on single mothers in poverty. A quarter of all women in poverty consist of single mothers. In 2010 there were 4.1 million single mothers living below the poverty line.

Our group focused on many of the issues that single mothers face. We narrowed it down to child care, discrimination in the work force, lack of financial assistance and education opportunities. Child care is very expensive. There are also many different levels of child care, and many single mothers have to place their kids in child care that may not be the best option, but the only option they can afford. An interesting fact about mothers in the workforce is that there is a bigger wage gap with mothers and non-mothers than there is between men and women. Many single mothers are burdened with so many other things and are limited in resources, which therefore limits there access to education. Although there is many programs to help single mothers with financial assistance like food stamp and WIC, many women who qualify are still not receiving assistance. There has also been a recent cut with food stamps affecting many single women and their children. Single mothers also struggle because many fathers do not provide any financial assistance. Children are four times more likely to be raised in a poor home when their biological father is absent.  Many of these hardships have negative effects on the mental health of single others. For example, studies show that they are more likely to experience stress and depression.

Our end goal of our project was to provide a social action plan that incorporates the micro, mezzo and macro level. We are currently working on it and have realized what areas single mothers need help in. Overall there is a lack of assistance, interventions and programs regarding single mothers. There is also a lack of awareness regarding women in poverty.

Observation:

 Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to get together, but there are so many people in this world who do not get to celebrate and be reunited with their loved ones.