Women, Dependency and Poverty

Abstract

Chapter 3 explores women’s life patterns and the context in which women live in order to create a foundation for thinking about women-centred practice. It begins by explaining why it is necessary to go back to basics. Statistical data on women’s lives precede a discussion of cultural assumptions about what constitutes a socially ‘correct’ life for women. The triangle of poverty, substandard housing and poor health experienced by many women service users provides the context for many women’s lives. The central position of women in resolving these problems for families has both positive and negative implications for women.