The economic status of women in the United States and the American welfare state

The so-called feminization of poverty, raises a serious question: Why, during the decades of women\u27s liberation has the economic status of many women deteriorated? The purpose of this dissertation is to provide insight into this situation, with special emphasis on the effectiveness of American social welfare institutions in aiding poor women, and to assist in developing policies to improve the economic status of women, particularly poor women, in the United States. Chapter 1 attempts to clarify what is meant by the feminization of poverty, reviewing the relevant trends in the poverty population. In addition, this chapter reviews some of the major theories of the economic status of women, and important trends in family composition and the labor market. With the feminization of poverty, the economic status of women and the welfare state have become more closely intertwined. It is argued that an understanding of the structure of the American welfare state and its effectiveness in aiding different groups in society is essential for an understanding of the economic status of women in the United States today. In chapter 2, the role of the welfare state as a capitalist market economy is examined, as well as the particular social welfare system that has developed in the United States. Chapter 3 presents some of the major criticisms of the American welfare state and an approach for evaluating its effectiveness. Cash income transfers, one of the most controversial components of the American welfare state, are the focus of the evaluation presented in Chapters 3 and 4. It is argued that, despite their unpopularity, cash income transfers have played an important role in reducing poverty in the United States over the last two decades. They have not, however, been equally effective for all groups in society. In particular, cash income transfers have been far more effective for aged persons than nonaged persons, and more effective for persons living in households headed by males than those living in female-headed households. It is argued that the structure of the American income support system is largely responsible for its lack of effectiveness in aiding persons living in female-headed households. In Chapter 5, a set of possible reforms are suggested. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.