There was a news report that I came across that addressed the working poor women in Austin. This news report was labeled "Working Poor: Growing numbers can't make ends meet." The website that I received information from was www.news8austin.com. However, in this news report a woman by the name of Tere Ceballos addressed her financial and living situation. She stated in this news report that Austin was one of the highest cost of living compared to others cities in that state. When the economy declined that is when families in Austin started to struggle more than what they were struggling before. Tere Ceballos explained that she has a job however, it is still hard to make ends meet. She stated that her family did not have any food at their home therefore, they had to eat canned foods only. She could not afford "meats, fruits, baked foods, or cheese only canned foods."
Many families started to fall into poverty. Researchers at "The Center" noted that there were one out of six people in Texas that lived in poverty. Many of them worked, roughly about 80 percent and most of the income that poor families were receiving was from work and not assistance. Those living in Austin for one adult had to make about $19,000 a year and a family of four had to make about $44,000 a year in order to make it. More jobs were becoming available in Austin however, it was more low minimum wage jobs. These openings that were becoming available, which was minimum wage, would not be able to support families in Austin. In Austin it was reported that most working poor families are more likely to rely on earnings on their income rather than welfare. There should be something done due to the fact that Austin is a highly cost city and the jobs that are becoming available is minimum wage jobs. Funding should be increased for these families who are having difficulty and struggling.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
BLOG 10
After the welfare reform mothers had to make a lot of adaptations. Mothers had to first and foremost adapt to the welfare reform conditions that was set. There were many actions that these mothers had taken to adapt to new strategies. Mothers had to become more flexible than usual after the welfare reform. They also had to arrange their work schedule or their child care schedules. According to the reading mothers did not know which one, work or child care, to put first. Some mothers structured their work schedules around their child care schedule. Also, there were some mothers who structured their child care schedules around their work schedule. In the reading, it gives the example of the mother name Cassandra who tried to structure her work shift to fit her child care schedule. However, she then changed it to where she fit her child care around her work schedule. Some mothers thought this type of arrangements were "strategically interrelated" (Chaudry page. 180) between work and care. There were issues sometimes in which mothers could not find child care that corresponded with their work schedule. Also, the priorities of mothers happen to change as the child age. When the children are younger mothers tend to work less hours however, as they age they tend to work more hours. Referring back to the reading, after the welfare reform mothers "sought out subsidies for their child care." They would "utilize" work subsidies to get "center base care" (PowerPoint chapter 5 and 6). This was sought out to be the key for care arrangements. In chapter five, a mother name Sarah used subsidized child care for her children because she was in school and work. If she did not have it she would not have been able to attend or get her daughter developmental care that was needed. Mothers find it most difficult for subsidized care when the children are infant because there are not that many options available for "infants and young toddlers" (Chaudry page. 182).
Chaudry findings and recommendations made interesting points and I definitely agree that "America needs to decide what role it wants to play in the lives of young children" (Chaudry page. 191). According to Chaudry, about 60 percent of the child care that is provided in the United States is funded by parents. Due to low paying jobs and affordability mothers had to often place their children in low quality care arrangements in which their child don't get the proper developmental opportunities as other children. The United States do not provide much support for young children. According to Chaudry, there is no unified system of early care nor education for children. There is also not enough funding therefore, funding should be increased for child care. The government should also create a policy that basically "acknowledges" single working mothers. Chaudry also recommend that the government should try and work for a policy that can break the cycle of poverty. Also, the government to create a more simpler system to the application process and access. There are many different recommendations that Chaudry addressed such as providing child care to all families that are eligible. This is because subsidized child care is important to mothers especially those working low income jobs. Furthermore, he addressed that educational investments should "foster early childhood development" (Chaudry page. 195). Chaudry also recommended that there should be an increase in available "care options and supports for families with infants." Chaudry argued that there should be more child care subsidies in low income families that consist of infants and toddlers. Due to how the system work for child care subsidies, toddlers and infants are the least that is served which is very critical. Since these toddlers and infants do not have many options for child care subsidies, it put a strain on working mothers to try and find child care arrangements. At this time, subsidies is needed the most and child care options should be available to working mothers at this time. Mothers and families have been struggling to survive. The government should do something to try and prevent this from happening. There should be more funding and more assistance available for these families. One particular funding group that is trying to help with food assistance is the Salvation Army. According to the video clip, the salvation army had lunch programs 5 days a week to hand out lunches to kids. There should be more funding and assistance available for children and families. Something should be done to put an end to poverty.
Chaudry findings and recommendations made interesting points and I definitely agree that "America needs to decide what role it wants to play in the lives of young children" (Chaudry page. 191). According to Chaudry, about 60 percent of the child care that is provided in the United States is funded by parents. Due to low paying jobs and affordability mothers had to often place their children in low quality care arrangements in which their child don't get the proper developmental opportunities as other children. The United States do not provide much support for young children. According to Chaudry, there is no unified system of early care nor education for children. There is also not enough funding therefore, funding should be increased for child care. The government should also create a policy that basically "acknowledges" single working mothers. Chaudry also recommend that the government should try and work for a policy that can break the cycle of poverty. Also, the government to create a more simpler system to the application process and access. There are many different recommendations that Chaudry addressed such as providing child care to all families that are eligible. This is because subsidized child care is important to mothers especially those working low income jobs. Furthermore, he addressed that educational investments should "foster early childhood development" (Chaudry page. 195). Chaudry also recommended that there should be an increase in available "care options and supports for families with infants." Chaudry argued that there should be more child care subsidies in low income families that consist of infants and toddlers. Due to how the system work for child care subsidies, toddlers and infants are the least that is served which is very critical. Since these toddlers and infants do not have many options for child care subsidies, it put a strain on working mothers to try and find child care arrangements. At this time, subsidies is needed the most and child care options should be available to working mothers at this time. Mothers and families have been struggling to survive. The government should do something to try and prevent this from happening. There should be more funding and more assistance available for these families. One particular funding group that is trying to help with food assistance is the Salvation Army. According to the video clip, the salvation army had lunch programs 5 days a week to hand out lunches to kids. There should be more funding and assistance available for children and families. Something should be done to put an end to poverty.
Blog 9
Poverty is one of the major problems that our world is faced with today. Poverty has always caused conflicts within our society. Before, there were about 13 million children that was living below the poverty level that was set by the government. The poverty level is determined by that family income. If there is a family of four they are considered to be living in poverty if there income is less than 20,000 a year. Today, the amount of children that is living in poverty dramatically increased by 1.3 million within five years. Therefore, according to the research, "thirty nine percent of the nations children" is currently living in poverty.
The rates at which families are considered to be in poverty varies from each state. There are some states that have more children in poverty than others. For an example, looking and moving from each state, according to the research, child poverty ranges from "seven percent in New Hampshire to twenty seven percent in Mississippi." Arizona, as well, have 20 percent or more children that is in poverty. There are two states which is New Hampshire and New Jersey that has under 10 percent of their children in poverty as appose to thirteen states that has 20 percent or more.
Poverty exist among all races in the country. There are some races that have more children in poverty than others. In African American families there child poverty rates, according to the research, is at 35 percent. Latinos have 28 percent of their children living in poor families. There is only about 10 percent of white children that lives in poverty or poor families and 29 percent of American Indians. Asian children also have a low population of children living in poor families their rate was at 11 percent. There is said to be about 20 percent of children that is below the age of 6 actually grew up in poverty areas. Most families that live in poverty spend most of their income for their rent. Based upon the research African American and Latino families are more likely to have financials hardships as apposed to White families. This basically creates a problem because then their children can lack health insurance, food, and other expenses.
The rates at which families are considered to be in poverty varies from each state. There are some states that have more children in poverty than others. For an example, looking and moving from each state, according to the research, child poverty ranges from "seven percent in New Hampshire to twenty seven percent in Mississippi." Arizona, as well, have 20 percent or more children that is in poverty. There are two states which is New Hampshire and New Jersey that has under 10 percent of their children in poverty as appose to thirteen states that has 20 percent or more.
Poverty exist among all races in the country. There are some races that have more children in poverty than others. In African American families there child poverty rates, according to the research, is at 35 percent. Latinos have 28 percent of their children living in poor families. There is only about 10 percent of white children that lives in poverty or poor families and 29 percent of American Indians. Asian children also have a low population of children living in poor families their rate was at 11 percent. There is said to be about 20 percent of children that is below the age of 6 actually grew up in poverty areas. Most families that live in poverty spend most of their income for their rent. Based upon the research African American and Latino families are more likely to have financials hardships as apposed to White families. This basically creates a problem because then their children can lack health insurance, food, and other expenses.
Post 8
"The new urban poverty" created a lot of problems for poor working mothers. "The new urban poverty" created violence, a loss in jobs, and also a loss in businesses (power point chapter 4). It also raised concern for crime and safety for the residence more so for "children and the elderly." Also, "the new urban poverty" increased the "concentrations of poverty" and welfare dependency. Due to this, homes were being abandoned and the education for children weren't at high expectations. There was an increase in negative habits such as drugs and abuse. "The new urban poverty" also caused "isolation" from society and the lack of hope. Furthermore, "child care instability" was another problem for "the new urban poverty."
The problems that arose in "the new urban poverty" differs from those that are residing in mixed income neighborhoods because there are more economic disadvantages in this "new urban poverty." Those that resides in what Peter Marcuse refer to as "outcast ghetto" is "removed" from society and have more low paying jobs. However, some that are residing in this type of area are sometimes involved in illegal activities. For an example, Jessica advised the interviewer how the neighbors that live next door to her sale drugs. Mothers living in this type of environment worry about safety for their children and for themselves. In the reading, Traci story explains the concerns that she has in this type of environment. In this type of environment she was worried since the father of her child was incarcerated and the neighborhood was a negative environment, if it would influence her children. She feared that this environment labeled as the "outcast ghetto," it would negatively influence her children. Those in a mixed income environment do not have that massive fear for their child safety as for those living in "the new urban poverty." However, because of Traci fear for her child safety drove her to wanting to leave the "outcast ghetto" (Chaudry chapter 4).
The problems that arose in "the new urban poverty" differs from those that are residing in mixed income neighborhoods because there are more economic disadvantages in this "new urban poverty." Those that resides in what Peter Marcuse refer to as "outcast ghetto" is "removed" from society and have more low paying jobs. However, some that are residing in this type of area are sometimes involved in illegal activities. For an example, Jessica advised the interviewer how the neighbors that live next door to her sale drugs. Mothers living in this type of environment worry about safety for their children and for themselves. In the reading, Traci story explains the concerns that she has in this type of environment. In this type of environment she was worried since the father of her child was incarcerated and the neighborhood was a negative environment, if it would influence her children. She feared that this environment labeled as the "outcast ghetto," it would negatively influence her children. Those in a mixed income environment do not have that massive fear for their child safety as for those living in "the new urban poverty." However, because of Traci fear for her child safety drove her to wanting to leave the "outcast ghetto" (Chaudry chapter 4).
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Post 7
Chaudry addressed the story of Julia and her child Jacqueline struggle for child care. There were many factors that contributed to their instability for child care. Julia was on welfare when her daughter Jacqueline was born. Julia wanted to leave welfare however, some of the factors which added to the instability was the lack of funds. Also, Julia wanted to go to community college, so while she was in college the father of Jacqueline stayed at home and watched the children. When he left that caused an additional problem to her life. There were no child care arrangements therefore, Julia had to stay home to watch the children. She then was cut off of food stamps and when she started back to college she had to have her sister watch the children for a few months. Julia then was put to the bottom of the list for the "Agency for Child Development" for daycare. She soon had to stop going to college and had to be the primary care giver for her children. Julia was the primary caregiver for about a month and a half, according to the reading, and was then enrolled into the "Work Experience Program." This program helped with child care arrangements in which she found another child care provider. Julia ended up having to have her cousin watch her children then finally she received ACD. Based upon her story another factor that contributes to the instability of child care is having to find a provider and worrying about late payments from WEP.
According to the interviews and readings, working minimum wage jobs does not contribute much to childcare and safety. Working minimum wage jobs can force a family into unsafe environments such as what Jessica explained in her interview. Sometimes mothers sacrifice their hunger so that their children can eat. Mothers sometimes have no choice but to work more hours than usual just to make ends meet. When expenses and other bills are increasing mothers are still stuck at minimum wage which makes it harder to pay their bills.
According to the interviews and readings, working minimum wage jobs does not contribute much to childcare and safety. Working minimum wage jobs can force a family into unsafe environments such as what Jessica explained in her interview. Sometimes mothers sacrifice their hunger so that their children can eat. Mothers sometimes have no choice but to work more hours than usual just to make ends meet. When expenses and other bills are increasing mothers are still stuck at minimum wage which makes it harder to pay their bills.
blog 6
The type of child care that a child receives when they are young is very important to that child development. Child care arrangements is important because children spend most of the early childhood in childcare type of environments and based upon the "settings, provider, content, and the quality of care" (Chaudry pg.32) can effect that child development negatively or positively. There are different types of child care arrangements that low income mothers use. Sometimes mothers use "home based" care in which the father, kin, nanny, sitter, or siblings watch the child. Also there is "family child care, center care," and also other types of care giving settings such as "special needs care" (Chaudry pg. 34). However, not always are these types of child care arrangements or funds to pay for the arrangements available which puts a strain on the parent. In the reading, a working mother by the name of Brittany, had many challenges with child care arrangements for her daughter Bethany. There were many factors and situations that challenged her child care arrangements such as low paying jobs which cause financial issues, the incarceration of the father, conditions of the setting, and also depending on family members or the child care provider to be on time. Furthermore, trying to find, apply, and get approved for child care assistance can be a challenge as well. For Brittany, she was put onto a waiting list which resulted her relying on a family care provider which soon grew into a conflict.
There is a gap between the type of "child care that mothers prefer and the care they actually use." Most mothers prefer more of a home type arrangement for the younger children "and more learning opportunities." This is because children spend most of their days in childcare settings. Those who are not capable of having homelike arrangements have to result in other child care arrangements such as child care centers. According to the report, some of these low income centers can be unhealthy to the child. Some centers lack staffing, funding, and safety standards. However, mothers still have no choice but to place their children in these type of environments because of financial problems.
There is a gap between the type of "child care that mothers prefer and the care they actually use." Most mothers prefer more of a home type arrangement for the younger children "and more learning opportunities." This is because children spend most of their days in childcare settings. Those who are not capable of having homelike arrangements have to result in other child care arrangements such as child care centers. According to the report, some of these low income centers can be unhealthy to the child. Some centers lack staffing, funding, and safety standards. However, mothers still have no choice but to place their children in these type of environments because of financial problems.
Unit B- Blog 5
In the reading, Putting Children First, Chaudry argued that, "we were asking the least fortunate to strive and work harder, we were deeply discounting our public responsibility for the children born into poor families and disadvantages" (page 14). The reason he argued this point was because of the welfare reform that went into act in 1966. The Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1966, changed the policy for working mothers to get assistance. Now there were strict work requirements that had to have been met in order to get assistance which cause mothers to put their "work first, before their children needs" (pg. 14). Chaudry argued this point because while the government were placing strong guidelines on assistance and pushing mothers to work and work harder, children were being born to disadvantages. There were not as many opportunities for children that were being born in this environment due to the welfare reform that taken into effect.
In the videos there were many valid arguments and points that had been said. Currently, according to the Poverty in America video, if a family of four makes less than 20,614 then that family is living in poverty. The video displayed that there are "37 million people" that is currently living in poverty. This many people living in poverty clearly identifies that it is more of a public issue than a personal problem. The videos supports Chaudry perception because they give facts and also identify ways that can help poverty. One of the issues that was repeatedly addressed was raising minimum wage to decrease poverty. The videos address how the working poor barely have enough funds to make ends meet as well as they are forced to work long hours to achieve those funds. Sometimes that can conflict with assistance, if a person is working long hours and by chance make one dollar above the guidelines for assistance they are denied. This becomes a problem because even if that person really do need the assistance they are not able to achieve it because they do not reach the guidelines for assistance.
In the videos there were many valid arguments and points that had been said. Currently, according to the Poverty in America video, if a family of four makes less than 20,614 then that family is living in poverty. The video displayed that there are "37 million people" that is currently living in poverty. This many people living in poverty clearly identifies that it is more of a public issue than a personal problem. The videos supports Chaudry perception because they give facts and also identify ways that can help poverty. One of the issues that was repeatedly addressed was raising minimum wage to decrease poverty. The videos address how the working poor barely have enough funds to make ends meet as well as they are forced to work long hours to achieve those funds. Sometimes that can conflict with assistance, if a person is working long hours and by chance make one dollar above the guidelines for assistance they are denied. This becomes a problem because even if that person really do need the assistance they are not able to achieve it because they do not reach the guidelines for assistance.
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