Final answer:
In summary, women disproportionately experience poverty, a phenomenon known as the 'feminization of poverty.' Women face higher poverty rates due to factors like being single heads of households, wage gaps, and societal expectations. This disparity affects their income, education, healthcare, and overall wellbeing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following accurately describes women and poverty? Women have higher rates of poverty than men in almost all societies. This is illustrated through a concept coined by sociologist Diana Pearce, known as the "feminization of poverty," which reflects the disproportionate number of women living in poverty.
For every 100 men living in poverty, there are 122 women, reflecting a clear gender disparity. Moreover, women who are single heads of household often face more economic hardship than their male counterparts. The wage gap and the high poverty rates among unmarried mothers are significant contributors to this issue.
Poverty affects not only the income level of women but also their overall well-being, as they have less access to resources, education, healthcare, and may struggle with additional societal expectations and responsibilities.
In the United States, women constitute approximately 56 percent of those living in poverty. Factors that contribute to this include low-paying jobs historically assigned to women, increasing divorce rates, and a large number of single mothers living below the poverty line.
Furthermore, women face additional hurdles such as obtaining credit, learning new skills, or improving their craftsmanship to earn a higher wage.