Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA

Capstone Action Project: Literature Re ie! Wo"en in Minnesota #eather R$ Anderson Saint Mar%&s 'ni ersit% o( Minnesota Schoo)s o( *raduate + Pro(essiona) Progra"s OL ,--. Capstone S%"posiu" Apri) 1/0 121/

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA Table of Contents

A3stract4444444444444444$$44444444444444444$$p$ 5 Co""unit% I"pact444444444$44444444444444444444$p$ 5 6a"i)% P)anning4444444444$$44444444444444444444$p$ Support S%ste"s and Econo"ic Opportunities444444444444$$444444$$p$ 7 Education (or Wo"en4444444444444444444444444444p$ 12 Conc)usion4444444444444444444444444444444$$$$$p$ 11 Re(erences44444444444444444444444444444444$p$ 15

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA Abstract When )oo8ing at the i"pact o( econo"ic ine9ua)it% in the 'nited States0 there is e idence that sing)e !o"en "a8e up a gro!ing nu"3er o( the !or8ing poor :Tia"i%u + Mitche))0 1221;$ There are se era) cha))enges (acing !o"en regarding access to education0 ha ing a support s%ste" or sa(et% net in p)ace and access to (a"i)% p)anning in Minnesota$ This )i"ited access reduces the opportunities (or !o"en to i"pro e their econo"ic and socia) condition$ Research supports the econo"ic and socia) 3ene(its associated !ith pro iding

opportunities (or education and (a"i)% p)anning resources (or !o"en in the )oca) co""unit% and underscores the 3ene(it o( e)e ating the educationa) and econo"ic success o( !o"en out!eighs the cost o( those progra"s$ In a co""unit% !here there is "ore inco"e e9ua)it% 3et!een the poorest and the !ea)thiest0 a)) are 3etter o(( :Wi)8inson0 1211;$ The 3ene(it to the co""unit% is !e)) !orth the in est"ent and support o( issues (acing %oung !o"en and (ragi)e (a"i)ies in our co""unit%$ In the (o))o!ing re ie! o( )iterature0 I !i)) co"pare sources pertaining to (a"i)% p)anning resources0 educationa) opportunities )eading to "ore econo"ic e9ua)it%0 and the need (or support s%ste"s that (ocus on !o"en in the co""unit% !ho are raising (a"i)ies on their o!n$ This !or8 de"onstrates the "an% !a%s the de e)op"ent o( ser ices that support !o"en are 3ene(icia) to the co""unit% at )arge$ Wo"en o( this generation . and the chi)dren o( the ne<t . need the support o( the co""unit% to achie e econo"ic "o3i)it% and create 3etter (utures (or their (a"i)ies$ Community Impact When a )arge gap e<ists 3et!een those !ith !ea)th and those !ithout it0 e er%one in a societ% su((ers$ In the 'nited States the rich are 7$- ti"es richer than the poor$ This )e e) o(

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA inco"e ine9ua)it% is rea))% a sign o( socia) d%s(unction :Wi)8inson0 1211;$ There is e idence

3ased on g)o3a) research that sa%s high )e e)s o( inco"e ine9ua)it% )ead to )o!er )i(e e<pectanc%0 higher in(ant "orta)it%0 "ore indi idua)s are i"prisoned0 higher teenage 3irth rates and (e!er opportunities (or socia) "o3i)it%$ Inco"e ine9ua)it% a((ects those !ho earn )ess the "ost0 3ut the highest earners are a((ected too :Wi)8inson0 1211;$ In his TE= Ta)80 Wi)8inson :1211; co"pares the '$S$ to other countries !ith a )o!er )e e) o( econo"ic ine9ua)it%$ #e states that i( %ou !ou)d )i8e to achie e the >A"erican =rea"?0 then %ou shou)d "o e to =en"ar8$ In countries )i8e =en"ar80 S!eden and @apan0 the socia) po)icies support the needs o( e er%one and support sustaina3)e distri3ution o( !ea)th$ Through ta<ation or c)oser )e e)s o( inco"e0 these nations sho! the a)ue o( econo"ic e9ua)it% and pro iding support and opportunities (or the !ho)e societ% :Wi)8inson0 1211;$ The !e)).3eing o( a societ% can 3e "easured 3% )oo8ing at ho! the "ost "argina)iAed and poorest indi idua)s are treated$ #igh une"p)o%"ent and record po ert% rates in the 'nited States ha e not he)ped the gro!ing )e e)s o( econo"ic ine9ua)it% to s)o! :Os3erg0 1215;$ Increasing ine9ua)it% has )ed to societa) 3eha iors that (urther )i"it the opportunities (or )o!er.earning indi idua)s$ The e)ite can a((ord a )e e) o( pri ate a)ternati es (or pu3)ic ser ices that de(unds the ser ices used 3% the poor$ Os3erg :1215; is )ess con(ident than Wi)8inson :1211; a3out the e((ects o( the increasing ine9ua)it%0 stating that there is an a"3iguous i"pact on societ%$ Os3erg :1215; asserts that (e"a)e education0 (e"a)e )a3or (orce participation and dec)ining 3irth rates can ha e "ajor i"pacts on the inco"es o( )o!er and "idd)e seg"ents o( the inco"e distri3ution$ It is c)ear that addressing inco"e ine9ua)it% 3% (ocusing on the ad ance"ent and support o( !o"en is necessar% to i"pact the d%s(unction o( o era)) econo"ic ine9ua)it% and econo"ic insta3i)it% in Minnesota0 as !e)) as the entire countr%$

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA Family Planning T!o !a%s that co""unities can he)p support and de e)op !o"en is to pro ide co"prehensi e (a"i)% p)anning options and to increase genera) a!areness o( the socia) and econo"ic 3ene(its (ro" pro iding these ser ices$ In Minneapo)is and the surrounding co""unities0 as in a)) "ajor ur3an areas !ith di erse popu)ations0 there is a need (or continued support o( !o"en through education and ser ices that support !o"enBs e9ua)it% and access to 3etter jo3s and 3etter pa%$ C% pro iding support and resources to sing)e "others !ho ha e )i"ited inco"e and )ac8 su((icient 8no!)edge a3out (a"i)% p)anning0 co""unities can earn 3et!een t!o and si< do))ars o( ta<pa%er sa ings (or e er% do))ar spent :Tho"as0 1211;$ Encouraging !o"en to !ait unti) the% are "ore (inancia))% independent0 o((ering the" a)ternati es to ha ing chi)dren ear)% and gi ing the" access to education and e"otiona) support can gi e the" the e<tra "oti ation to escape a )i(eti"e o( po ert% :Tho"as0 1211;$ 'np)anned pregnancies account (or appro<i"ate)% ha)( o( a)) o( the pregnancies in the 'nited States :Wang and Ashtari0 121/;$ The a3i)it% to p)an !hen to ha e chi)dren0 i( at a))0 has he)ped !o"en !or8 to!ard gaining e9ua)it% :Wang and Ashtari0 1211;$ Tho"as :1211; (urther

e<p)ains ho! po)ic% changes can he)p in pre enting unp)anned pregnanc%$ According to Tho"as :1211; %oung !o"en )ac8 su((icient "oti ation to a oid pregnanc%0 teens are "isin(or"ed a3out ho! to use arious "ethods o( contraception0 and the cost or access to the "ost e((ecti e (or"s o( contraception are o(ten )i"ited or prohi3iti e :Tho"as0 1211;$ Doung !o"en in rura) Minnesota co""unities (ee) that the )ac8 o( access to jo3s and education )ea es the" !ith (e! options :Shard)o!0 1211;$ Man% o( these !o"en 3egin ha ing chi)dren at a %oung age 3ecause the% do not 8no! !hat e)se to do :Shar)o!0 1211;$

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA With access to contraception ,5E o( !o"en said that the% cou)d ta8e 3etter care o( their (a"i)ies and the"se) es0 -,E said that the% cou)d support the"se) es (inancia))% :Sonn(ie)d0 #asstedt + *o)d0 121/;$ Contraception pro ides an opportunit% (or !o"en to choose the right ti"e (inancia))% to 3egin a (a"i)%$ Additiona))%0 -1E o( !o"en said that the% cou)d co"p)ete their education0 and -2E said the% cou)d get or 8eep a jo3 :Son(ie)d0 #asstedt0 + *o)d0 121/;$ Research co"pi)ed 3% the Center (or =isease Contro) :C=C; in 1211 con(ir"s these (indings$ *i ing 3irth to a chi)d as a teenager 3rings )ong.ter" ad erse conse9uences (or the "other and the chi)d$ There are )i"ited socia) support and (inancia) resources a ai)a3)e

:http:FF!!!$cdc$go F""!rFpd(FotherFsu,221$pd(;$ The C=C deter"ined that teen 3irth rates are high in the upper Mid!estern states (or non.#ispanic 3)ac8 ado)escents$ This pattern has 3een consistent since 1GG2$ There is a need (or "ore in(or"ation and support o( these ado)escents in the Minneapo)is co""unit%$ The C=C report shares that co""unit% ser ice coordinated !ith positi e %outh 3eha iora) inter ention is an e((ecti e "ethod o( cur3ing high ris8 3eha iors in teens and he)p )o!er the ado)escent 3irth rate :6rieden0 1211;$ Ash(ord and #a!s :1GG1; 9uestion the sustaina3i)it% o( (a"i)% p)anning progra"s !hen it co"es to (unding$ This is a "ajor argu"ent that co"es up against the su3sidiAed (inancing o( (a"i)% p)anning and !o"enBs hea)th a)) o er the !or)d$ When (a"i)% p)anning organiAations are (orced to change the (ocus to se)(.su((icienc% rather than socia) o3jecti es then priorities are re ersed to he)p the "ost easi)% accessed (irst$ Ash(ord and #a!s :1GG1; argue that hea)th ser ices are usua))% a ai)a3)e in ur3an areas0 3ut the rura) poor are not !e)) ser ed$ There are a)so a nu"3er o( studies that sho! the poorest citiAens are !i))ing to pa% a s"a)) a"ount (or ser ices the% a)ue$ 6ina))%0 cost.3ene(it ana)%sis sho!s that (a"i)% p)anning can ha e su3stantia) econo"ic 3ene(its$ Tho"as :1211; agrees that po)icies are cost e((ecti e$ Teen

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA (ocused pre ention progra"s ha e the )argest e((ect on the pregnanc% rate a"ong teens0 3ut the e<pansion in access to su3sidiAed (a"i)% p)anning ser ices has the greatest o era)) i"pact I especia))% on the nu"3er o( chi)dren 3orn into po ert% :Tho"as0 1211;$ There are se era) 8e% concerns speci(ica))% (acing !o"en in Minnesota co""unities$ Shard)o! :1211; authored a research report (or the Wo"enBs 6oundation o( Minnesota that supports the Croo8ings Institution (indings 3% Tho"as :1211; indicating !o"en need support$

Wor8ing !o"en !ith chi)dren "a8e up "ore than ha)( o( the pri"ar% 3read !inners and (e"a)e heads o( househo)ds are "ore )i8e)% to 3e in po ert% than other t%pes o( (a"i)ies :Shard)o!0 1211;$ Man% !o"en "a8e too "uch "one% (or pu3)ic progra"s0 3ut not enough to "a8e ends "eet$ The ter" >!or8ing poor? o(ten re(ers to these t%pes o( (a"i)ies$ These are !or8ing adu)ts 3ut the% do not "a8e enough "one% to )i e on :Shard)o!0 1211;$ 6unding cuts in Minnesota ha e negati e)% a((ected !o"en and there is )itt)e po)itica) support to de e)op progra"s to he)p :Shard)o!0 1211;$ Li8e Tho"as :1211;0 Shard)o! :1211; recogniAes the )ac8 o( choices and opportunities in rura) areas due to the )i"ited a3out o( ser ices and resources$ This )ac8 o( choice )eads !o"en to 3e)ie e that starting a (a"i)% is the on)% option and )eads to higher teen pregnanc% rates$ Shard)o! :1211; echoes the concerns o( Tho"as :1211; that there is a )ac8 o( co"prehensi e se<ua) education and )ac8 o( access to reproducti e hea)th ser ices in Minnesota$ O((ering hea)th care that is a((orda3)e and educationa) can ha e a signi(icant i"pact on the )i es o( %oung !o"en in Minnesota$ Son(ie)d0 #asstedt and *o)d :121/; share that hea)th centers are "an% !o"enBs entr% point into the s%ste" and "a% 3e the on)% hea)thcare that so"e !o"en recei e$ This access pro ides the" !ith a )o! cost opportunit% to "aintain hea)th and 3etter care (or their (a"i)ies$ The i"portance o( po)ic% )e e) in o) e"ent in the hea)th and !e)). 3eing o( "argina)iAed !o"en is due to the (inancia)0 socia) and econo"ic e((ects on

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA

co""unities$ The nationa) in est"ent has ne er 3een enough to pro ide ser ices to a)) that need the" :Son(ie)d0 #asstedt and *o)d0 121/;$ Enro))"ent in Medicaid0 the )argest (under o( (a"i)% p)anning hea)th care0 increased 3% a)"ost H-E (ro" 1222 to 1212$ The increase o( 11 "i))ion peop)e is due to e<pansions in the e)igi3i)it% (or the progra"s and gro!th in enro))"ent during the recession$ 6ro" 122, to 1212 the nu"3er o( poor adu)t !o"en in need o( contracepti e ser ices rose 1-E . an addition o( 1$1 "i))ion !o"en :Son(ie)d et a)0 121/;$ C% continuing to )oo8 (or !a%s to support !o"en that are eager to (ind !a%s to i"pro e their econo"ic sta3i)it%0 the co""unit% !i)) 3e in esting in hu"an capita) that !i)) ensure a strong econo"ic (uture (or e er%one$ 6a"i)% p)anning ser ices and hea)th care (or !o"en can ha e a positi e i"pact 3oth socia))% and econo"ica))% on the co""unit%$ Support Systems and Economic Opportunities Crac8en :121/; reports the a)ue o( a support s%ste" (or sing)e "others that !or8 to i"pro e econo"ic pro ides housing0 preschoo)0 e"po!er"ent and )i(e s8i))s training0 and support (or a career.trac8 education$ Li8e the (indings at the Croo8ings Institution :Tho"as0 1211;0 an independent stud% sho!ed that e er% do))ar in ested in a @ere"iah (a"i)% can return up to (our do))ars to societ% 3ased on the participants ne!)% de e)oped (inancia) and socia) independence :!!!$jere"iahprogra"$org;$ C% re"o ing the cost prohi3iti e o3stac)es (or sing)e "others0 this organiAation is a))o!ing the" an opportunit% to !or8 on 3ettering the (inancia) status o( the (a"i)%$ Si"i)ar to Crac8enBs :121/; ana)%sis0 Ja)i) and R%an :1212; understand the i"portance o( strengthening a sa(et% net (or econo"ica))% (ragi)e (a"i)ies that need "ore support$ The a erage househo)d inco"e o( sing)e "others is K170,,1 :Ja)i) and R%an0 1212;$ There is no roo" (or error or e"ergenc% !ith this )e e) o( inco"e$ 'n!ed "others are not a3)e to o3tain

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA higher.!age e"p)o%"ent due to poor education$ Their earnings re"ain )o! and the% are una3)e

to 3etter their circu"stances$ /GE o( sing)e "others )ac8 a high schoo) dip)o"a and on)% 1$/E o( un!ed "others ha e a co))ege degree :Ja)i) and R%an0 1212;$ There are "an% ps%cho)ogica) pro3)e"s that sing)e "others (ace as !e))$ The% report higher rates o( poor hea)th0 e"otiona) pro3)e"s0 and drug use co"pared to "arried parents$ These issues can a)so 3e )in8ed to sing)e "othersB )o!ered earning capacit% :Ja)i) and R%an0 1212;$ Prins0 Toso and Scha((t :122G; o((er (urther e idence that "argina)iAed !o"en need socia) support$ There is e idence that !o"en a)ue and 3ene(it (ro" a socia) interaction !ith peers and teachers in educationa) and co""unit% projects such as adu)t and (a"i)% )iterac% progra"s :Prins et a)0 122G;$ When the% ha e a supporti e socia) net!or80 !o"en are "ore ps%cho)ogica))% e9uipped to i"pro e their econo"ic sta3i)it% :Prins et a)0 122G;$ Wo"en are "ore )i8e)% than "en to (ace restricted access to socia) and "ateria) support and su((er (ro" po ert%0 sing)e parenthood0 and use o( pu3)ic assistance :Prins et a)0 122G;$ Margina)iAed !o"en can (ee) iso)ated in 3oth rura) and ur3an co""unities$ The% !orr% a3out sa(et%0 and ha e )i"ited resources !hen raising chi)dren a)one$ Wo"en are )ess )i8e)% to thri e and de e)op !hen the% ha e to do so co"p)ete)% iso)ated (ro" the co""unit% :Prins et a)0 122G;$ Ca"3e)).*ross"an0 #udson and Jeating.Le()er :122-; (urther e<p)ore the ro)e o( co""unit% )eaders in he)ping sing)e0 )o!.inco"e "others$ The% note that the a3sence o( tangi3)e support (or sing)e "others )i8e housing0 (ood0 transportation0 chi)d care and "one%0 causes poor ph%sica) and e"otiona) hea)th outco"es :Ca"p3e)).*ross"an et a)0 122-;$ It is up to co""unit% )eaders in the pri ate and pu3)ic sectors to de e)op socia) progra"s that o((er "ore resources (or !o"en$ There are s%ste" 3arriers that inc)ude co""unit% ser ices and inade9uate hea)th care resources$ The s%ste" has 3een descri3ed as di((icu)t to use and ine((icient (or

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA !o"en to na igate :Ca"p3e)).*ross"an et a)0 122-;$ When the he)p that is o((ered does not "eet the needs o( those !ho are "ost u)nera3)e0 then !hat is the a)ue to the co""unit%L Co""unit% ser ices and sa(et% nets "ust adapt their approach to 3est "eet the needs o( those the% ser e$ This is the on)% !a% to achie e "a<i"u" socia) and econo"ic 3ene(it (or a))$

12

In Minnesota0 there is pu3)ic (unding and support0 3ut it does not pro ide enough support$ When 3arriers are re"o ed and opportunities are opened to the"0 !o"en and gir)s thri e and Minnesota 3ene(its :Shard)o!0 1211;$ A (ocus group in Minnesota identi(ied opportunities surrounding econo"ic 3arriers and o((ered so)utions$ There needs to 3e an increase in ear)% chi)dhood education to create positi e opportunities (or chi)dren$ Mentorship and co))ege prep progra"s (or high schoo) gir)s !i)) he)p the" reach their (u)) potentia)$ There a)so needs to 3e support (ro" co))eges and uni ersities to pro ide on.site chi)dcare0 and an increase o( s)iding.(ee chi)d care so !o"en can !or8 and attend schoo)$ The% a)so reco""end that there 3e "ore access to 1/FH chi)dcare centers (or !o"en !ho !or8 past the hours o( operation (or traditiona) da% care centers :Shard)o!0 1211;$ Minnesota can do "ore to he)p !o"en and (ragi)e (a"i)ies thri e$ Education for Women There is a strong argu"ent (or the i"portance o( higher education as a 8e% (actor in reducing the >(e"iniAation o( po ert%? :Tia"i%u + Mitche))0 1221;$ This ter" "eans that !o"en are 3eco"ing the "ajorit% o( adu)ts that are )i ing in po ert% due to se era) (actors$ Wor8ing poor parents (ind it di((icu)t to o3tain (u)) ti"e !or8 and to ad ance in the !or8p)ace :Madden + Ah"ad0 1222;$ One o( "ost direct paths to econo"ic sta3i)it% is education and training$ Educationa) )e e)s "ore than an% other (actor deter"ine !ages :Madden + Ah"ad0 1222;$ In Minnesota0 G2E o( !e)(are recipients ha e no co))ege education$ A)"ost //E do not

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA

11

ha e a high schoo) dip)o"a :Madden + Ah"ad0 1222;$ In Minnesota0 57E o( the !or8ing poor (a"i)ies are headed 3% a sing)e "other$ With )i"ited education and access to 3etter !ages0 the ho)d o( po ert% and econo"ic insta3i)it% is strong$ Wo"en need access to education that !i)) a))o! the" to earn higher !ages and 3etter pro ide (or their (a"i)ies$ Tia"i%u and Mitche)) :1221; discuss ho! other states are "a8ing changes to pu3)ic assistance progra"s to (ocus on the changing needs o( poor !o"en$ The State o( Ohio has !or8ed to re(or" its !e)(are s%ste" and pro ide te"porar% assistance (or need% (a"i)ies$ The (ocus is on educating !o"en so that the% can get a!a% (ro" the )o!est !age jo3s and (ind a career path$ Post.secondar% education increases inco"e0 raises se)(.estee" and teaches their chi)dren that educationa) goa)s are i"portant and necessar% to achie e econo"ic sta3i)it% :Tia"i%u + Mitche))0 1221;$ It is c)ear that the t%pes o( educationa) opportunities "ust change to support the needs o( sing)e "others$ Institutions "ust consider po)icies that support these ne! t%pes o( students$ Tia"i%u and Mitche)) :1221; strong)% 3e)ie e that 9uic8.(i< jo3 training progra"s on)% ensure that !o"en !i)) continue to 3e poor$ This t%pe o( education does not a))o! access to higher pa%ing jo3s and traps poor !o"en in )o! !age jo3s that do not pro ide opportunities (or ad ance"ent$ Madden and Ah"ad :1222; suggest a co"pro"ise regarding the training ersus post.secondar% education de3ate$ The so)utions the% o((er inc)ude initia) s8i)) de e)op"ent co"3ined !ith a "ore )ong ter" degree progra" opportunities$ A)so0 3asic education shou)d (ocus "ore on rea) !or8 and )i(e s8i))s !ith stronger )in8s to (uture jo3 opportunities :Madden and Ah"ad0 1222;$ E"p)o%ers can partner !ith training progra"s to o((er rea) !or)d !or8 e<perience$ Madden and Ah"ad :1222; agree !ith Tia"i%u and Mitche)) :1221; that educationa)

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA

11

institutions "ust thin8 a3out ho! to "a8e progra"s accessi3)e to nontraditiona) students$ On)ine progra"s are 3eginning to open these doors0 3ut are sti)) underuti)iAed$ Conclusion The pressures (acing !o"en in our co""unit% are co"p)e< and di((icu)t to o erco"e !ithout a strong support s%ste"$ Wo"en "ust 3e gi en the opportunit% to choose !hen and i( to ha e chi)dren$ C% pro iding education and training0 the co""unit% can o((er a)ternati e "oti ation (or %oung !o"en to !ait unti) the% ha e "ore econo"ic securit% to start a (a"i)%$ C% pro iding access to education0 chi)d care0 and housing options that support the cha))enges o( sing)e "others0 the co""unit% can he)p those indi idua)s achie e socia) "o3i)it%$ C% de e)oping and supporting the icti"s o( econo"ic ine9ua)it% in our co""unit%0 !e are creating a stronger socia) structure (or e er%one$ C% addressing the causes o( socia) ine9ua)it% and po ert% (or indi idua)s !ho are strugg)ing to sur i e0 the greater good o( the co""unit% is ser ed$ Minnesota has "an% !onder(u) progra"s )i8e the @ere"iah Progra" :Crac8en0 121/;$ These progra"s support !o"en 3ut !ithout increased (inancia) and po)itica) support these organiAations cannot sustain their outreach$ 6inding !a%s to support and educate !o"en !i)) sa e the co""unit% "one%0 as !e)) as pro ide an in est"ent in the (uture success o( Minnesota$

Running head: WOMEN IN MINNESOTA Re(erences

15

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