THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES OF POVERTY- FEMININST

What are the basic assumptions of the feminist perspective on poverty in the Caribbean?

• The feminist perspective assumes that poverty is disproportionately high among female-headed households and elderly widows.

• Women face economic challenges due to gender inequalities and household structures.

• They often juggle caregiving responsibilities with low-paying jobs, leading to economic vulnerability.

How does the legacy of the plantation contribute to female poverty in the Caribbean?

• Beckford (1972) and Brown (2007) argue that the plantation system created a pattern of large female-headed households.

• Women in these families tend to start childbearing early, have multiple children, and remain outside formal marriage.

• This intergenerational cycle of poverty continues today, making it harder for women to escape economic hardships.

What is the nature of the labour market in the Caribbean, and how does it impact women?

• Barron and Norris (1976) describe a dual labour market with two sectors:

  • Primary sector: High-paying, stable jobs with benefits.

  • Secondary sector: Low-paying, insecure jobs with limited opportunities.

• Women dominate the secondary sector, as it offers flexible work arrangements that accommodate their caregiving roles.

• However, these jobs make them vulnerable to poverty, exploitation, and sexual harassment.

How does the feminization of poverty affect women in the Caribbean?

• Lister (2004) explains that women are overrepresented in poverty statistics, a phenomenon called the feminization of poverty.

• Factors include:

  • Increasing number of single-parent households led by women.

  • More women entering the workforce but remaining in low-paying jobs.

  • Divorce and increased financial independence, yet facing economic hardships.

• Dina Pearce argues that female poverty has become more visible but has always existed.

What is "hidden poverty," and how does it affect women?

• In two-parent households, men usually control household income.

• Women often prioritize family needs over their own, sacrificing their diet, clothing, and personal expenses.

• This results in a form of poverty that is not always reflected in statistics but significantly impacts women's well-being.

What are the criticisms of the feminist perspective on poverty in the Caribbean?

• It gives the impression that most Caribbean women are in low-paying jobs.

• Recent improvements in education and employment opportunities have allowed women to progress.

• Government policies, such as family planning programs, have contributed to a decline in birth rates among lower-class women.

How does the feminist perspective explain female poverty in the Caribbean overall?

• Beckford links it to the legacy of the plantation system.

• Barron and Norris highlight how the labour market structure keeps women in economically weak positions.

• Lister emphasizes the hidden nature of women’s poverty due to gender roles and inequality.