GETTING ME CHEAP

Two sociologists examine the many challenges facing “working poor women.”

Based on interviews and research conducted over the past 10 years, Freeman and Dodson, author of The Moral Underground: How Ordinary Americans Subvert an Unfair Economy, show the factors that place many women, particularly immigrants and women of color, in low-income positions—and often keep them there. The authors’ shared goal in writing this book is to help these women “climb out of working poverty.” The majority of the women have found employment in service industries, including food, health care, and child care. Many jobs in the service industry have unpredictable hours, leading to difficulty in finding consistent care for their own children. Additionally, most of these positions are low paying and lack benefits, requiring workers to take on multiple jobs to support their families, often on their own. In some cases, older children are required to assume household responsibilities for their families, sacrificing their own futures and contributing to this cycle of poverty. Many interviewees also believe that because they have children, they are at a further disadvantage. “Moms told us about the upheaval surrounding the birth of a child without leave, income, or accommodations to ease the transition home,” write the authors. Furthermore, domestic workers caring for wealthy families often face racism and harassment from parents and children alike. Several of the interviewees relate that their paths to higher education, frequently needed for job advancement, have also been filled with obstacles. The authors clearly show how affluent women often become uncomfortable when considering how lower-income families live, choosing to donate rather than volunteer. While the book does tend to generalize the views and opinions of individuals, the authors’ stance on advocating for others by encouraging policy change is convincing and sound.

An insightful book that shines light on issues that should be better understood by any responsible citizen.