Single Moms Essay

804 Words2 Pages

Katrina is a representation of the challenges millions of single mothers face everyday. Paycheck to Paycheck follows Katrina’s day-to-day lifestyle that includes being a low-wage, single mom raising three children in Chattanooga,
TN. With women making up 55% of low-income, support workforce, Katrina’s story is not unique to single moms (Shriver, 2014). Katrina works as a CNA at an old age home and only makes $9.49/hour, which is barely higher than the minimum wage. Between her and the father of her children, she is the breadwinner, making only $730 for two week’s pay. This miniscule paycheck is almost immediately spent on necessities, such as gas, rent and food.
Katrina is a hard-working, caring, and motivated woman who got into a hard situation, …show more content…

Even with her raise, she was only making 14 cents more an hour. It is unfortunate that millions of single moms are stuck in this situation, where there are little to no means for them and their families to escape the vicious cycle of poverty.
2) What social and economic support does Katrina receive to help her manage the struggles of being a single mother living in poverty?
There are a few welfare programs that support women like Katrina manage the struggles of being a single mother living in poverty. In the documentary, Katrina spent a few hours with an accountant to get her tax refund and subsidy because her annual income is below the poverty line. Even with this federal help, she needed to use the money on other necessities, like rent and paying off her car. Katrina’s ex-husband also sometimes helps with child support, but he does not contribute enough money for the kids to live a good lifestyle. Katrina was also able to take out a loan while maxing out a few credit cards, but the loan and credit cards ended up being burdens when they became bills that needed to be paid. Katrina also qualifies for food stamps

since she is low-income. Even with this help, Katrina can’t afford

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