Women and Poverty
http://www.nccendpoverty.org/women/women.html
Women’s rights pertain to much more beyond just the right to vote, and there are still inequalities happening today. An example of this is the number of American women that are living in poverty. As of 2008, there were more than 37 million Americans living in poverty, and over half of them are women (Cawthorne, 2008). According to the 2008 U.S. Census, women are poorer than men in all ethnicities and races. The data collected shows that 26.5% of African-American women and 23.6% of Hispanic women are poor. Those two groups face the highest poverty rates among women (Cawthorne, 2008). The data also shows that 25% of adult women considered to be living in poverty are single mothers, while 54% of adult women that live in poverty have no dependent children. (Cawthorne, 2008). Since poverty rates pertain to the family rather than the child, poverty rates among males and females are the same during childhood, but are on the rise for women during their twenties. 20.6% of women between the ages of 18-24 are poor as opposed to the 14% of men. The gap only widens as women age. 13% of women age 75 and older are considered poor as opposed to the 6% of men (Cawthorne, 2008). The question to all of these statistics is why?!
There are many different reasons as to why women have a greater chance of being in poverty. As stated previously, women only make 77% of what men earn. Women make less than men even when they have the same qualifications and education. Women often become teachers, nurses, housekeepers or waitresses which are considered “pink collar” jobs (Cawthorne, 2008). These jobs generally pay less than jobs that are dominated by male employees, which only fuels the gender wage gap. Women are also more likely to spend time caring for children or other family members. This is usually unpaid and very time consuming which can make it more likely for the woman to work only part time or take time off from their job. In 2008, 23% of mothers were out of the workforce as compared to the 1% of fathers (Cawthorne. 2008). Pregnancy can also be the issue because women are affected more by economic costs related to pregnancy than men, especially if it is unplanned. Unplanned pregnancies can cause women to drop out of school and can make it harder for them to obtain and maintain good jobs (Cawthorne, 2008).
There are many different reasons as to why women have a greater chance of being in poverty. As stated previously, women only make 77% of what men earn. Women make less than men even when they have the same qualifications and education. Women often become teachers, nurses, housekeepers or waitresses which are considered “pink collar” jobs (Cawthorne, 2008). These jobs generally pay less than jobs that are dominated by male employees, which only fuels the gender wage gap. Women are also more likely to spend time caring for children or other family members. This is usually unpaid and very time consuming which can make it more likely for the woman to work only part time or take time off from their job. In 2008, 23% of mothers were out of the workforce as compared to the 1% of fathers (Cawthorne. 2008). Pregnancy can also be the issue because women are affected more by economic costs related to pregnancy than men, especially if it is unplanned. Unplanned pregnancies can cause women to drop out of school and can make it harder for them to obtain and maintain good jobs (Cawthorne, 2008).