Title: Dilemmas in Discussing Poverty
Review: I liked this book very much. (I wrote it.) This work was a labor of love and a life-changing experience for me. I struggle now, though, as I travel around the country lecturing on the findings of the study. You see, the older women I interviewed may have incomes well below the poverty level, but few saw themselves as "poor" or even "needy." So when I speak describe the unbelievable hardships these women have overcome. I also mention how strong and grateful they are. The typical response from media and policy-makers is, "These women are great! They're poor, but happy. We don't need to do anything!" I point out the incredible waste of human energy when a woman spends all her effort and strength on a struggle to survive - even the unfairness that her gender has exposed her to elevated risk of poverty. But these messages get lost in the general glee. That's the dilemma I encounter lately when discussing poverty in this population. A. Barusch
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