One Example Our Book Points Out On The Feminization Of

One Example That Our Book Points Out On The Feminization Of Poverty

One example that our book points out on the feminization of poverty in core nations is “The expansion in the number of female-headed households.” This increase is largely due to divorces, which split families and often leave children in difficult situations. In many cases, the father may leave the household, leaving the mother to care for the children alone. While laws often require fathers to pay child support, the emotional and financial strain on single mothers remains significant. Divorce, therefore, contributes to economic hardship for women, especially in cases where the emotional toll is compounded by financial responsibilities.

Moreover, single mothers are typically forced to assume both parental roles—acting as both the caregiver and the breadwinner—placing additional stress on them and depleting their resources. This situation frequently results in relative poverty within first-world countries, despite social welfare programs such as SNAP that provide assistance. In peripheral nations—less developed countries—divorces also occur and tend to have even more severe consequences for women, as many lack enforceable child support laws. Consequently, being a single parent in these countries may push women further into poverty than in wealthy nations, as their capacity to support their families is hampered by limited legal protections and fewer social safety nets.

There is a clear connection between wealth distribution and the likelihood of women heading households. Women who become sole providers often find it extremely difficult to improve their financial situation, perpetuating cycles of poverty. The feminization of poverty is thus exacerbated by systemic issues that restrict opportunities and resources for women, both in developed and developing countries.

In addition to family structures, disparities in pay also contribute to the feminization of poverty worldwide. Evidence suggests that women continue to earn less than men for comparable work in many regions, especially in peripheral countries. According to Keirns et al. (2017), women in these nations “accumulate fewer assets, farm less land, make less money, and face restricted civil rights and liberties.” Such inequities reflect the broader systemic inequalities that limit women’s access to education, employment opportunities, and economic resources—a core aspect of the feminization of poverty.

The disparity in income between the highest and lowest earners remains significant, even as the overall earnings of the lowest income groups increase. Education plays a crucial role; those with higher levels of education tend to earn substantially more than those without, and women in regions where access to education is limited are less likely to climb out of poverty. The unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities perpetuates this cycle, making it difficult for women to achieve economic independence and stability, especially in less developed countries.

Finally, gender inequality is reflected in household structures and societal roles, illustrating how systemic biases sustain poverty among women. In many countries, women are legally prohibited or socially restricted from working outside the home. For example, in Syria, women require permission to work and are often confined to caregiving roles, reducing their contributions to national wealth. Other countries with similar restrictions include Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Guinea, and Bolivia. These legal and cultural barriers significantly hinder women's economic participation, which in turn limits overall economic growth and perpetuates poverty within these societies.

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The feminization of poverty is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that manifests across different societal contexts, shaped by family structures, legal frameworks, cultural norms, and economic opportunities. In analyzing the various dimensions of this issue, it becomes evident that systemic gender inequalities remain a persistent barrier to achieving economic justice for women worldwide.

In developed countries, one of the significant indicators of the feminization of poverty is the increasing number of female-headed households. Divorce and separation are primary drivers of this trend, often leaving women as the sole providers for their children. While legal systems in many wealthy nations mandate child support payments, enforcement varies, and financial strains remain. Single mothers frequently find themselves balancing dual roles—primary caregiver and breadwinner—which can lead to emotional, physical, and financial exhaustion. Despite social safety nets, many of these households live in relative poverty, indicating that systemic issues persist despite available support systems (Bianchi, 2014). For example, in the United States, approximately 23% of children live in single-mother households, and these households are significantly more likely to experience economic hardship (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).

Contrasting circumstances are observed in peripheral or developing nations, where divorce often occurs under different social and legal conditions. Many of these countries lack comprehensive child support laws or social safety mechanisms, rendering single mothers particularly vulnerable to entrenched poverty. For example, in countries like Nigeria or India, social norms and legal restrictions may prevent women from seeking employment, thereby reducing their income-earning potential. As a result, the burden on women to provide for their children becomes even more arduous, often pushing them into extreme poverty. Economic opportunities for women are further limited by cultural restrictions and lack of access to education and healthcare, which are essential for economic empowerment (Kabeer, 2015). These systemic barriers further entrench gender disparities and perpetuate cycles of poverty.

The systemic inequality is also reflected in the persistent wage gap, which exists across both core and peripheral nations. Women continue to earn less than men for comparable work, reducing their ability to accumulate wealth and assets. Keirns et al. (2017) note that women in peripheral nations “accumulate fewer assets, farm less land, make less money, and face restricted civil rights and liberties,” highlighting the structural barriers faced by women worldwide. This disparity in income and opportunities limits women’s capacity to invest in education, health, and entrepreneurship, further entrenching their economic vulnerability.

Education is a critical factor influencing women’s economic mobility. Data consistently show that higher educational attainment correlates with higher income levels. However, in many developing countries, girls and women have limited access to quality education due to socio-cultural norms, financial constraints, and legal restrictions. Women with less education are more likely to remain in poverty, unable to escape low-wage employment or economic dependence. Conversely, increased access to education significantly improves women’s employment prospects and earnings, thereby reducing poverty (World Bank, 2020). Addressing disparities in educational access is therefore vital in mitigating the feminization of poverty globally.

Legal and cultural restrictions, such as those found in countries like Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Guinea, and Bolivia, further exemplify how gender inequality perpetuates economic disparities. In some of these countries, women require permission to work, and societal norms often restrict women’s participation in the labor force. This significantly reduces their contributions to household income and national wealth, trapping women in poverty. Such restrictions are often rooted in patriarchal societal structures that view women as primarily caregivers rather than economic agents (El-Bushra & Sahl, 2014). While social reforms are gradually changing some of these norms, progress remains slow, and many women continue to face legal and cultural barriers that limit their economic independence.

In conclusion, the feminization of poverty is driven by a combination of family dynamics, systemic gender inequalities, legal barriers, and socio-cultural norms. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies that promote gender equality in education, employment, legal rights, and social protections. Policies aimed at enforcing child support, expanding access to education and healthcare, and challenging restrictive cultural norms are essential for reducing poverty among women worldwide. Achieving economic justice for women is not only a matter of individual empowerment but also a critical step toward building more equitable and sustainable societies.

References

• Bianchi, S. M. (2014). Families in flux: The changing face of American families. Annual Review of Sociology, 40, 301-318.
• El-Bushra, J., & Sahl, M. (2014). Gender, conflict, and social change: Promoting peace and security. Journal of Development Studies, 50(5), 635–648.
• Kabeer, N. (2015). Gender, poverty, and empowerment: Re-visioning the macro-micro linkages. Feminist Economics, 21(1), 116-132.
• Keirns, N. J., Strayer, E., Griffiths, H., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., Sadler, T., & Jones, F. (2017). Introduction to Sociology (2nd ed.). Houston, TX: OpenStax, Rice University.
• United States Census Bureau. (2023). Income and poverty in the United States: 2022. https://www.census.gov/data.html
• World Bank. (2020). Women, business and the law 2020: Training for reform. Washington, DC: World Bank.
• Sen, G., & ÖzOW, D. (2017). Gender equality and development: Challenges and opportunities. World Development, 91, 369-379.
• Scott, J. (2018). Gender inequality and economic development. Oxford University Press.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2021). Gender equality and women’s empowerment. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-empowerment
• World Economic Forum. (2023). Global gender gap report 2023. https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2023