Final answer:
Women are more likely to live in poverty than men primarily due to wage gaps and the 'feminization of poverty,' where women represent a higher percentage of the impoverished population and face additional educational and societal inequalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women are more likely to live in poverty than men due to a variety of factors, including wage gaps, which contribute significantly to the gender disparity in poverty. This wage gap is evident from the fact that jobs predominantly occupied by women tend to pay less due to devaluation. The phenomenon known as the feminization of poverty recognizes that globally, women disproportionately represent the majority of individuals in poverty, affecting not just their income but also their overall well-being, as they often take on unpaid work in addition to any paid labor. Other inequalities associated with gender differences include educational disparities, often stemming from societal norms that have historically undervalued the education of women and girls. Additionally, women frequently face obstacles in obtaining credit, learning new skills, or spending extra hours to improve their economic standing. Cultural preferences and sexism in certain regions can also influence women's earnings throughout their lives, as shown by economic research. Hence, the correct answer illustrating why women are more likely to live in poverty and associated inequalities is a) Women are more likely to live in poverty due to wage gaps; other inequalities include educational disparities.