Despite the statutory and constitutional protections for women’s equality that have developed in the last half century,
women continue to lag behind men in virtually every economic indicator. This panel starts from the premise that the persistent poverty of women is a sex equality issue, and it explores state action to alleviate that poverty. A social safety net is particularly important for women because they continue to earn substantially less than men for comparable work and because women are still more likely than men to be the primary caretakers of their children and other family members. Panelists will discuss the role that a safety net plays in addressing vulnerability and dependency, and fostering equality, in our society. Panelists will also consider the relationship between immigration law and the availability of public benefits, food insecurity among women, and the effect of health care reform on women and their families.
Fineman Abstract
Freeman Abstract
Gowder Abstract
Huberfield Abstract
Olivares Abstract