Final answer:
The greater likelihood of poverty among elderly women compared to men is called the feminization of poverty in old age, a term originating from the work of sociologist Diana Pearce in 1978. The correct option is d.
Step-by-step explanation:
The greater likelihood of poverty among women in old age is called the feminization of poverty in old age. This term reflects the higher rates of poverty among elderly women compared to their male counterparts.
Issues such as lower lifetime earnings, less savings, and potentially being single, illiterate, or not a part of the labor force contribute to this trend. Sociologist Diana Pearce coined the term "feminization of poverty" in 1978 to describe the increasing rates of poverty among women, which were 20 percent higher than those for men in some reports.
This phenomenon is pronounced in both peripheral nations with fewer resources and also seen in core nations like the United States where elderly poverty rates, although improving for decades, were impacted by the 2008 recession. The correct option is d.