#minoritywomenmatter
By: Jamaika H. , Kim J. , Irene A. , Nina M. , Norrisha M.
Financial Economic Stability
Enough is Enough!
"While the racial gap has received growing attention, to date little attention has been paid to the wealth gap for women, let alone women of color.”
Did You Know?
There is an enormous racial wealth gap in America.
Women earn about 76 cents for every dollar earned by a man.
Hispanic earn less than women in any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. They are more likely to live in poverty than Asian American and white women, and they are far less likely to be employed in professional or managerial jobs than any other group.
Only 18 percent of African American women with incomes of $45,000 to under $75,000 feel extremely or very secure, significantly less than the average American women in the general population, who are predominantly Caucasian (26 percent) or Asian women (28 percent) with the same income.
Top Financial Priorites
1.Debt-The need to reduce debt trumps other financial goals, including savings, in general, and retirement.
2.Retirement-Following closely after debt reduction,nearly three in four women say investing for retirement is a high financial priority.
3.Cash Reserves-A majority of minority women are focused on saving for an emergency, and growing their cash reserves.
4.Protection Planning-six in ten women agree that having enough insurance to protect what is important to them and their family is a priority.
5.College Education- Half of women (52% general population report that saving or paying for a child’s college education is a high financial priority.
How Can WE Help??
As a social worker, it is our responsibility to have awareness that women of color are often underrepresented in positions of power in government, corporations, and non-profit institutions. If we shift our focus from providing coping methods to deal with life’s problems, to actually changing the situation, this in turn will create self empowerment.
Ways to Implement Empowerment:
1.Increasing self-efficacy by identifying and building on existing strengths
2.Channeling energy on the cause of the problem vs. on changing the internal subjective state
3.Reducing self-blame
4.Assuming personal responsibility for change
5.Mobilizing resources and advocating for clients
Health
Health Issues Among Minority Women
In the U.S. there are great health disparities among minorities such as African Americans, Latinos, American Indians, and Pacific Islanders, some of which are specific to women. These issues are often attributed to socioeconomic factors such as childhood circumstances, educational experiences, careers, marriage/family experiences, leisure, neighborhood conditions, and health care. Naturally people of different social and economic statuses lead different lives that potentially cause certain health issues. Some of these differences in lifestyle include diets, physical activity, sexual behavior, substance abuse, tobacco use, as well as access to health care, just to name a few. However, some health issues involved with minorities are strictly genetic. In general, people who are poorer and have less education are more likely to suffer from diseases, to experience loss of functioning, to be cognitively and physically impaired, and to experience higher mortality rates.
Anderson, N. (2004). Critical perspectives on racial and ethnic differences in health in late life: Race/Ethnicity, socioeconomic status and health. Retrieved from http:/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/nbk25526/
African American Women
Of all minority groups, African Americans have the most differences in health risks.
African American women are less likely to receive health care, and when they do, they
are more likely to get it late. Receiving health care late means that any existing diseases are
often times not detected early enough, when they are most treatable. Generations of racism and
poverty also play a role, as well as lack of trust in the medical system, cultural differences, and lack of
knowledge about the importance of tests to screen for major health problems. The diseases most common
in African American women are lupus, breast cancer, and sickle cell anemia, which is a genetic disease.
Minority Women’s Health: African Americans. (2012, March 1). Retrieved from
http://www.womenshealth.gov/minority-health/african-american/index.html
Latina Women
Latinas are the largest, fastest-growing, and youngest minority group in the U.S.
Latinas face many barriers to good health. Nearly 1/3 of them have no insurance, which
means that they are less likely to have a regular doctor or get preventive care. Also language and
cultural barriers can prevent Latinas from explaining symptoms they are having or understanding
the doctor’s advice. Many Latinas want a better life for themselves and their children but are unaware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and preventive care. Latinas are challenged by high rates of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Minority Women’s Health: Latina Women. (2012, March 1). Retrieved from
http://www.womenshealth.gov/minority-health/latinas/index.html
American Indian Women
For generations the Indian way of life sought to seek
balance in body, mind, and spirit, however, displacement, cultural
trauma, and high rates of poverty have taken a heavy toll on native
people’s ways of life. Many American Indians live on reservations,
which are often isolated and lack easy access to health care, and the
Indian Health Services (IHS) provides limited health care. Tobacco is
an important part of American Indian culture, and they have the highest
smoking rate of any group in the U.S. Smoking increases their risk of major
health problems such as cancer (particularly lung), heart disease, and stroke.
Minority Women’s Health: American Indians. (2012, July 12). Retrieved from
http://www.womenshealth.gov/minority-health/american-indians/index.html
Pacific Islander Women
The small population of Pacific Islanders are often grouped with Asians,
so in the past their health status was often masked and overlooked. Their health profile
is now becoming better understood. Cultural, social, geographic barriers, and distrust of Western
doctors keep this group from getting needed health services. Health challenges that Pacific Islander
women face include mental health issues, heart disease, and hepatitis b.
Minority Women’s Health: Pacific Islander Women. (2012, July 16). Retrieved from
http://www.womenshealth.gov/minority-health/pacific-islanders/index.html
What can be done to improve health disparities among minority women???
●Raise public awareness of the health disparities
●Increase health insurance coverage
●Create funding programs for health care
●Improve the capacity and number of providers in minority communities
●Educate minority women on the causes and interventions of diseasesDomestic Violence & Sexual Abuse among Minority Women
Facts
•“1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime.”
•“More than 60% of domestic violence incidents happen at home.”
•“Women ages 18 to 34 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence.”
•“Without help, girls who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse as teens and adults, which continues the cycle.”
•“#1 FACT: Most domestic violence incidents are never reported.”
Immigrant and Refugee Women
Reports show that, although non-fatal incidents of domestic abuse may be lower for Latinas and Asian immigrants and refugees, they are of higher risk of homicide through domestic violence than citizens born in the U.S. These reviews and analyzation of homicides show an overrepresentation of immigrant and refugee women. This could possibly indicate an inadequate response by the existing systems and institutions that are established in the U.S. to prevent such things like this from happening.
(RunneR, Novick & Yoshihama, 2009)
Not Speaking Up
Refugee and Immigrant victims of domestic violence are especially vulnerable and have been prevented from seeking help due to:
•Language barriers – Victims will have a harder time getting help with a language barrier
•Unfamiliarity with systems and legal rights - For an immigrant or refugee victim of domestic violence, English-speaking, American-born social service providers, legal experts or others may seem intimidating, unsympathetic or even terrifying.
•Social and economic isolation –She may feel as though she has no where to go
•Lack of cultural competence by service providers – may not be as sympathetic and connect with victims due to lack of background knowledge
•Lack of community awareness about domestic violence
•Political and environmental landscape - some immigrant and refugee communities may feel besieged and as a result therefore being suspicious of outsiders
(RunneR, Novick & Yoshihama, 2009)
Texas Resistance
•Texas was one of the few states where both senators voted no to provisions of VAWA act, partially due to some of the additions regarding immigrant protection.
•This can be seen as a little ironic, considering the data given about immigrant and refugee women in Texas.
What Can We Do?
•The general public needs to become more aware of the seriousness of this issue, especially in Texas, where we are very diverse in groups
• Education on the different kinds of abuse and recognizing when in an abusive relationship is key, these kinds of educational programs should be implemented within communities of diverse populations but within a culturally competent stance
•Advocate for minority groups like refugee and immigrant populations
•Get involved in elections and make sure you do your research on who is representing our population and hold accountability within the justice system to incorporate a more just and fair a better justice system so more victims of abuse can come and speak out.
Dallas Fort Worth - Organizations
Genesis
Today there are endless lists of organizations that are open to assist women with counseling housing and the basic education skills necessary for women to know, when they are going through a difficult time. Many places such as Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support work together to offer assistance and support to their clients. They have on hand case managers, child care activities coordinator, and they even provide women and children with therapists. Genesis Shelter offers many different forms of help that educate women and children who are in need of counseling, shelter, and even education for children that range from grades K-12. Organizations such as these are available for guidance and support, to those who don’t have anyone else to turn to. Often times these women encounter many other obstacles and with help from these organizations they are able to pick themselves back up. Although Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support has a main focus on women and children who suffer abuse, many of the organizations available today help with different issues and offer similar services as well.
Other Organizations
There are multiple organizations available whose main focus is to educate women through encouragement and empowerment as well. It’s always helpful to be informed even if you aren’t the person directly affected, gaining knowledge and an understanding about the options available to women is very important. By getting help through these organizations and centers women are leaning how important they are and how they can help themselves. Sometimes these social workers, volunteers, therapists, or educators are the only people these women confide in. These organizations are a great source for women to learn and become confident in their abilities. Some organizations today use social media to connect and provide women with a quick and easy answer to a question they may have. It’s easy access for women who may be too scared to find an organization to directly walk into, by using social networking they can get an idea of what service is offered and it could ease them into finding another source of help. With so many answers and so many ways to help, advocating and informing women today is very important.
Refrences
(n.d.). In Genesis Women's Shelter & Support. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://www.genesisshelter.org/page.aspx?pid=347
(n.d.). In Live Your Dream.org. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://www.liveyourdream.org/
(n.d.). In Welcome to the UWCF Website. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://uwcfoundation.org/
Civic Impulse. (2015). S. 47 — 113th Congress: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.
Domestic Violence: Statistics & Facts. (2015). Retrieved October 12, 2015.
Fernandez, H. (2011, November 8). Is the Gulf Coast Safe for Immigrant Women? - New America Media. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
Fiscal Year 2014 Refugee Arrivals. (2015, February 11). Retrieved October 11, 2015.
Profile of the Unauthorized Population - TX. (2015). Retrieved October 12, 2015.
RunneR, M., Novick, S., & Yoshihama, M. (2009). Intimate partner violence in immigrant and refugee communities: Challenges, promising practices and recommendations.
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - Senate Vote.svg. (2013, April 7). Retrieved October 12, 2015.
Caiazza, A., Shaw, A., & Werschkul, M. (n.d.). THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE STATES WOMEN’S ECONOMIC STATUS IN THE STATES: Wide Disparities by Race, Ethnicity, and Region. Retrieved October 7, 2015, from file:///home/chronos/u-7d2f61fabaec62c22afd6b00d0f9d89ad5b1f55f/Downloads/R260.pdf
Gutierrez, L. (1990). Working with Women of Color: An Empowerment Perspective. Social Work, 35(2), 149-152.
Lifting as we Climb: Women of Color, Wealth, and America’s Future. (2010). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from http://www.cunapfi.org/download/198_Women_of_Color_Wealth_Future_Spring_2010.pdf
Schneider, L. (2012, December 3). The Financial Needs and Attitudes of Women of Color. Retrieved October 7, 2015, from http://www.theamericancollege.edu/assets/pdfs/The-Financial-Needs-and-Attitudes-of-Women-of-Color-11-30-2012.pdf