In reading for this week of class, many statistics were given that pinpoint women, especially women of color as the ones who are affected by welfare reforms. Although some men do utilize welfare benefits, Theresa Funiciello, author of “Poverty Wears a Female Face” states, “As of 1999, single-mother families comprise about 23 percent of all families with children under age 18—yet represent 60 percent of all such households in poverty. […] The poverty rate of single-father families is higher: 16.2 percent. The poverty rate of single-mother families is 35.7 percent” (Sisterhood is Forever, 225).
With this information in mind, I began thinking about the woman’s role within the home. Due to gender norms, women are typically obligated to perform 2/3 of weekly household work. On average, women perform 27 hours a week in house work as opposed to the 16 hours a week that men perform. Imagine a single mother on welfare—required to work in order to continue receiving welfare, and performing not only her 27 hours a week but also the absent male’s 16 hours a week. It almost seems impossible. Not to mention, the time that the mother spends caring for her children, or relatives who are no longer able to care for themselves.
In contemplating these statistics, I began to imagine the quality of life that these women lead. It is clear that they definitely to not lead comfortable lives. Why are women the majority of the impoverished society? Funiciello provides a possibility: “Poor men skip out, poor women screw up” (225). Although this cannot possibly be the only answer to women’s unfortunate circumstances, it certainly seems pliable.
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