Final answer:
Elizabeth is experiencing relative poverty, a condition where despite working full-time, she cannot afford the average lifestyle in her country due to additional expenses like child care. This is a common challenge for single mothers and contributes to the feminization of poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of poverty that Elizabeth is experiencing is known as relative poverty. In the United States, relative poverty is defined as the condition where people can afford necessities but are unable to meet the society's average standard of living. Elizabeth's circumstances are such that, despite working full time, she cannot afford the lifestyle of the average person in her country, particularly when compared to Jeff, who has a similar work status but fewer responsibilities and, therefore, a higher disposable income.
Single mothers like Elizabeth face additional challenges. They often struggle with extra expenses such as clothing, transportation, and child care, which their nonworking or male counterparts do not. These factors contribute significantly to the 'feminization of poverty,' which highlights that women, especially single mothers, disproportionately represent the majority of individuals in poverty across the globe.
The working poor, in high cost of living countries, such as the United States, face unique struggles as they balance full-time work with the high costs associated with raising a family. This can result in a situation where, despite full-time employment, individuals like Elizabeth remain below the poverty line, trapped in a cycle that makes economic advancement challenging.