Poverty and Geographical Access to Employment: Minority Women in America’s Inner Cities

Abstract

The feminization of poverty and the growing concentration of poor people in inner-city neighborhoods are two of the most enduring trends in American cities. More poor people live in cities, and an increasing fraction of the urban poor are women and children. Minority women, often the main bread-winners for their families, are especially vulnerable to poverty. This essay explores how geographical barriers contribute to poverty and joblessness for minority women in inner-city areas and how social policies, including welfare reform, are affecting these women’s access to stable, well-paid jobs.