Question

"The feminization of poverty" means that:

a. poverty has been dressed up to seem more bearable.
b. single mothers tend to be happier than married women are.
c. women and their children are increasingly represented among the world's poorest people.
d. an increasing percentage of female-headed households shows the growing power and independence of women.

Answer 1

The 'feminization of poverty' refers to the increasing number and percentage of women and their children among the poor, with a critical aspect being the rise in female-headed households experiencing poverty.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term feminization of poverty refers to the pattern where women, particularly single mothers and their children, are disproportionately represented among the world's poorest. This phenomenon is not about making poverty bearable. Instead, it highlights the growing number of female-headed households falling below the poverty line and the systemic issues that make women more susceptible to poverty. This trend is a global one, with women experiencing higher rates of impoverishment nearly 20 percent more than men, exacerbated by factors such as lower wages, higher childcare responsibilities, and greater difficulty in accessing credit and education needed for better employment opportunities.