Children of Incarcerated Parents
Children of Incarcerated Parents
Children of Incarcerated Parents
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consequence <strong>of</strong> the social bias women face in trying to obtain formal employment,<br />
which in turn deepens the cycle <strong>of</strong> poverty. As the number <strong>of</strong> women in poverty<br />
increases, the diverse causes affecting their poverty must be examined. Poverty is<br />
multidimensional, and therefore economic, demographic, and socio-cultural factors all<br />
overlap and contribute to the establishment <strong>of</strong> poverty. It is a phenomenon with multiple<br />
root causes and manifestations.<br />
Femonomics<br />
In addition to earning less, women suffer from "Femonomics", or gender <strong>of</strong> money, a<br />
term created by Reeta Wolfsohn, CMSW, to reflect many <strong>of</strong> the inequities women face<br />
that increase their likelihood <strong>of</strong> suffering from financial difficulties. Women have unique<br />
healthcare problems/access problems related to reproduction increasing both their<br />
healthcare costs and risks. Women are also more likely to be financially illiterate and<br />
thus have a harder time knowing how to manage their money. The image <strong>of</strong> a<br />
"traditional" woman and a traditional role still influences many cultures in today's world<br />
and is still not in full realisation that women are essential part <strong>of</strong> the economy.<br />
Employment<br />
Employment opportunities are limited for women worldwide. The ability to materially<br />
control one's environment by gaining equal access to work that is humanizing and<br />
allows for meaningful relationships with other workers is an essential capability.<br />
Employment is not only about financial independence, but about higher security through<br />
an established legal position, real world experience, deeply important for sheltered or<br />
shy women, and higher regard within the family, which gives women a better bargaining<br />
position. Though there has been major growth in women's employment, the quality <strong>of</strong><br />
the jobs still remains deeply unequal.<br />
There are two kinds <strong>of</strong> employment: Formal and Informal. Formal employment is<br />
government regulated and workers are insured a wage and certain rights. Informal<br />
employment takes place in small, unregistered enterprises. It is generally a large source<br />
<strong>of</strong> employment for women. The burden <strong>of</strong> informal care work falls predominantly on<br />
women, who work longer and harder in this role than men.<br />
This affects their ability to hold other jobs and change positions, the hours they can<br />
work, and their decision to give up work. However, women who have University degrees<br />
or other forms <strong>of</strong> higher learning tend to stay in their jobs even with caring<br />
responsibilities, which suggests that the human capital from this experience causes<br />
women to feel opportunity costs when they lose their employment. Having children has<br />
also historically affected women's choice to stay employed. While this "child-effect" has<br />
significantly decreased since the 1970s, women's employment is currently decreasing.<br />
This has less to do with child-rearing and more with a poor job market for all women,<br />
mothers and non-mothers alike.<br />
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