Women's Life Cycle and Economic Insecurity: Problems and Proposals

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According to a global United Nations study, women perform 66% of all work, but receive only 10% of all income and own less than 1% in material assets. Although the economic status of American women has been somewhat higher than that of women globally, it is increasingly apparent that the United States is facing the emerging social problem of women's economic insecurity in the midst of growing affluence. In this study, 10 experts methodically survey every vital aspect in the life of American women, from early sex-role socialization in the home to long-term elderly care, and examine their economic implications. Ozawa's introductory chapter provides an overview of the subject; her concluding chapter summarizes recommendations for change and proposes steps necessary to the establishment of economic and social equality between the sexes.

Reviews

"Gender, like race and ethnicity, is an increasingly important factor in assessing social policy in the United States. For those who want to understand the role of gender in the poverty problem today, Women's Life Cycle and Economic Insecurity provides a splendid collection of articles containing new knowledge and fresh insights."-Sheila B. Kamerman Professor, Social Policy and Planning The Columbia University School of Social Work
This interdisciplinary collection is the result of research sponsored by the Japan Foundation for Research and Development of Pension Schemes, the Japan Committee of the International Conference on Social Welfare, as well as several US agencies and foundations. The collection was originally published in Japanese and stressed US-Japanese comparisons. Papers in this English-language version cover the effects of the life-cycle experiences of teenage pregnancy and childbearing, divorce, and years of widowhood, on women's economic status and poverty rate (the feminization of poverty). Only one paper, on women's labor-force participation trends, and Ozawa's concluding chapter compare Japanese and US women. Also covered are such diverse topics as the public child-support-assurance system used in Wisconsin, care of the elderly, and inheritance laws. Ozawa finds a conflict between women's traditional nurturing and caring roles and the development of their earing capability. Interesting statistical tables and a selected bibliography. This excellent book complements Poor Women, Poor Families by Harrell Rodgers Jr. Upper-division and graduate collections.-Choice
"This interdisciplinary collection is the result of research sponsored by the Japan Foundation for Research and Development of Pension Schemes, the Japan Committee of the International Conference on Social Welfare, as well as several US agencies and foundations. The collection was originally published in Japanese and stressed US-Japanese comparisons. Papers in this English-language version cover the effects of the life-cycle experiences of teenage pregnancy and childbearing, divorce, and years of widowhood, on women's economic status and poverty rate (the feminization of poverty). Only one paper, on women's labor-force participation trends, and Ozawa's concluding chapter compare Japanese and US women. Also covered are such diverse topics as the public child-support-assurance system used in Wisconsin, care of the elderly, and inheritance laws. Ozawa finds a conflict between women's traditional nurturing and caring roles and the development of their earing capability. Interesting statistical tables and a selected bibliography. This excellent book complements Poor Women, Poor Families by Harrell Rodgers Jr. Upper-division and graduate collections."-Choice

Author Bio

MARTHA N. OZAWA is Bettie Bofinger Brown Professor of Social Policy in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.