P auperization of W omen —
A Campaign Issue By S. Louise Akers “Migrant Mother,” 1936 (Dorothea Lange, photographer). Library of Congress FSA/OWI Collection.
D
uring this presidential election campaign, critical issues abound. One of the myriad concerns, in fact, a primary one, is the economy – both global and domestic. In light of space, I will highlight domestic economy; specifically women, their ethnicity, their employment and the impact of current policies. The Sisters of Charity have a long tradition, illustrated through numerous statements, that reflects concern about and solidarity with women’s economic status. For example: “We are challenged to stand together with and for women and children and will take concrete actions, personally and communally, to break the cycles of poverty and violence which disenfranchise women and foster systemic oppression in church and society.” – Sisters of Charity Chapter (1995)
Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility. An excerpt follows: Each person … has a right to the conditions for living a decent faith and family life, food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing. We also have a duty to secure and respect these rights not only for ourselves, but for others, and to fulfill our responsibilities to our families, to each other, and to the larger society. – U.S. Catholic Bishops Please study the Table below carefully. Note not only the disparity between women’s and men’s salaries but also the substantial gaps between white women and women of color with the exception of Asian women.
Unemployment persists and poverty has risen to an unprecedented level. Even more distressing is the widening of the gap between those who have more resources than they could ever use, and those struggling for minimal survival. This has surely been highlighted by the Occupy Movement’s focus on the 1 percent/99 percent. Consciousness has been raised and more strategic actions are demanded.
The Table offers merely highlights of a monumental reality affecting women, many with families, many single mothers – all within the U.S. How do women secure the rights described above by the U.S. Bishops? In a democracy these rights can be attained through the legislative process. Right now most people recognize ours is at a stalemate. So, we must continue to lobby our Representatives and Senators. (www.senate.gov or www.house.gov) In this election year isn’t it incumbent upon us to listen, study, analyze and reflect on the presidential candidate who comes closest to the values we espouse as reflected in the Gospel, in Catholic Social Teaching and in our Sisters of Charity Mission Statement?
Every four years the U.S. Bishops reflect on the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching and issue a document on
… We choose to act justly, to build loving relationships, to share our resources with those in need, and to care for all creation. Chapter 2011
Table: Median Weekly Earnings (Annual Average) and Gender Wage Gap for Full-Time Workers, 16 Years and Older by Race/Ethnic Background, 2010 Women ($) Men ($)
Female Earnings as % of Male Earnings (%)
Female Earnings as % of White Male Earnings (%)
All Races/Ethnicities
669
824
81.2%
80.3%
White
684
850
80.5%
79.2%
African-American
592
633
69.6%
68.9%
Hispanic or Latino
508
560
59.8%
60.2%
Asian-American
773
936
90.9%
92.2%
(Institute for Women’s Policy Research, www.iwpr.org)
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