The dramatic increase in poverty during the first half of the 1980s hit women and children the hardest. Regarding this fact, the following are discussed: (1) economic changes since 1960; (2) the extent of the problem; (3) reasons for the economic vulnerability of women and children; (4) curtailment of social services; and (5) probable future…

Without an increase in five years, minimum wage workers, 60 percent of whom are women, have experienced a sharp decline in real earnings. Over seventeen million Americans fall outside the federal provision and rely on inadequate state standards. Overtime and tipping laws are discussed. Social costs of maintaining the "working poor" outweigh…

Women earn only 64 cents for every dollar earned by men. Five and a half million women number among the "working poor." The following are suggested for change: (1) raise the minimum wage; (2) institute gender- and race-blind pay scales; (3) establish child care centers; and (4) enforce anti-discrimination laws. (PS)