In the late 1970s, Diana Pearce raised awareness about the “feminization of poverty” because she noticed that poverty was quickly being dominated by females. Today, the feminization of poverty is still a concerning problem. In 2002, female households with children were six times more likely to experience poverty than married-couples with children[1]. How big of a problem is this? Well, 18% of all American families are mother-led single-parent families and 50% of these households below the poverty level[2].
Statistics are necessary for understanding an issue but learning from experience is also meaningful. Today, Lindsay is going to share her voice about living in poverty as a child and now as an adult raising a young child. Please hear her voice and think about how deeply poverty affects Lindsay’s life and the lives of many Americans.
This is Lindsay’s voice empowered!
Randie: What have been your
experiences with poverty?
Lindsay: “Hah! Everyday living. Did you know the current middle
class wage is anyone making $50k or more!?! If that's wrong look it up, but
over half our population is in poverty and it’s because of the expense of things
constantly rising. Nobody can afford their living anymore and people say live
within your means?!? If we could even do that people would STILL be in debt.”
Randie: How does poverty impact
your family?
Lindsay: “Childcare, food, you name it. It’s been hard. I've
been on Medicaid, food stamps, WIC, and even had to go to the food pantry
sometimes. I hate the proud factor thinking: I'm too proud to have to dim
myself down to that, but it saved my [butt] when MUCH needed! Without that
small help I'd be in serious trouble.”
Randie: What do you see as the
challenges of poverty?
Lindsay: “The money limits. I apparently make too much now to
qualify yet people with five+ kids qualify who don't need it. It's a pathetic
system and ruthless. It makes absolutely no sense that the people that direly
need it can't yet those who have it abuse the system. I think they need
to have it more structured to those who do need it so not everyone is in
poverty and can actually afford a living for their families without stressing
over how they'll afford food or diapers or formula or childcare every month.”
Randie: What helps you to keep your
family running in spite of these challenges?
Lindsay: “Hope. Having faith and taking each day a step at a
time. Believing that if you put your mind towards something it'll happen.
Budgeting basically and letting those bills that don't have to be paid wait
until you do have the extra money to pay ‘em, even if that means they go
delinquent or even in collections. Food on the table and taking care of your
family is more important than paying a doctor bill.”
Randie: What do you do to relieve
stress?
Lindsay: “Walk outside when it's nice. Take deep breaths or just
being outside helps. The natural air and smells or sounds does it for me. God's
creation is beautiful and I intend to enjoy it the most I can before I die.”
Randie: What do you wish others
knew about living in poverty?
Lindsay: “That it’s harder than it looks. Even people making
$30k a year like me can still be in poverty because of bills. It varies from
person to person.”
Randie: Do you have a plan for
getting out of poverty?
Lindsay: “I filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in February so hopefully
that helps, if not just paying what I can and trying to save if humanly
possible.”
Randie: What help would you need to
make that plan successful?
Lindsay: “Child care assistance to be honest. That or food
stamps would help enormously. Paying $200/month on groceries or daycare
expenses, even though now I don't pay childcare it’s still financially
impossible. Or even forgiveness on student loans for those in specific poverty
levels. I know they have programs but even more so would help immensely.”
Randie: What advice do you have
others living in poverty?
Lindsay: “Keep your head up. Things could be worse.”
Randie: What
do you think our society could do to prevent poverty?
Lindsay: “Give drug
tests to people currently on welfare and take it away from those abusing it.
Too many take advantage and those needing it don't qualify. I'd say make it
more available to those needing it but with stricter guidelines too.”
Again, I want to give a special thanks to Lindsay for
taking the time to answer my questions and share her thoughts and experiences
on poverty! It is not easy sharing such personal experiences.
*Poverty is a very concerning issue that influences a
family on multiple levels. Please be looking for more information on poverty in
the family resources and blog posts portions of my main blog, Empowering Families with Randie.
[1] Casper, L. M. & Bianchi, S.
M. (Eds.) (2002). Economic Causes and Consequences of Changing Family Structure
(Pp. 249–280) in Continuity & Change in the American Family. Sage
Publications: Thousand Oaks.
[2]
Martin, M. T., Emery, R. E., & Peris, T. A.
(2004). Chapter 16: Single–parent families: Risk, resilience, and change. (Pp.
282–301). In Coleman, M. & Ganong, L. H. Eds. Handbook of Contemporary
Family: Considering the Past, Contemplating the Future. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage Publications.
