Women and Economic Crisis: The Untold Story

Abstract

The vital roles that women play in keeping households afloat in economic crises have been largely ignored. This study of 152 women in a region that experienced catastrophic unemployment found that women are the pillars of family support. Beyond maintaining their households and supplementing their families' income whenever pos sible, the women helped to mend their demoralized families and find necessary resources for comfort and aid. When unemployment strikes families, it affects all family members. The strength of the women in this study in dealing with the needs of their husbands and children had demonstrable effects.

An Exploration of the Influence of Household Poverty Spells on Mortality Risk

“…For example, a study of African American, female householders in Chicago finds these mothers adapt by turning to their own mothers for material assistance and help with children (Jarrett, 1994, 1998). Systems of exchange secure material resources for poor and working‐class families and integrate them into a network of mutual obligation with other families who also deal with material constraints and poverty spells (Baum, Shore, & Fleissner 1993; Rapp, 1992).…”

“…Gaining competence in dealing with persistent or recurrent poverty also entails decisive measures to preserve and promote psychosocial well‐being. A regional study of women's roles in families in which husbands lose their jobs demonstrates that demoralization within the family can be ameliorated and offset by women's initiatives to draw family members closer by increasing time spent together (Baum et al, 1993). Similarly, poverty spells may stimulate a push to strengthen family bonds and solidarity during times of crisis.…”