Three-fourths of poverty in the U.S. is concentrated in women and their children. This number is not shrinking, but growing, particularly among unmarried women, single parents, widows, and displaced homemakers. On average, in the U.S. women make 76% of men’s wages.

The fact that men are expected to bring home a wage that supports an entire family fosters the idea that in the labor market women’s earnings are only supplemental. Women, therefore, are focused in these lower-valued and lower-paid jobs. These jobs are less stable, less mobile, and have undesirable work conditions.