Female poverty in the UK

Society has shaped the belief that people who live in poverty are to blame for their impoverished state through their own decisions. This belief harms the millions of people who live in poverty in the UK. More than one fifth of the UK’s population lives like this; a huge proportion for the fifth richest economy in the world.

We associate homelessness to be majorly a male problem, when in fact, there are more women than men living in poverty. 5.2 million compared to 4.7 million men. For men, the number is decreasing, but for women, the number is not. Studies say we associate homelessness to be majorly a male problem because women conceal their homelessness better than men do. One lady who was interviewed by Cosmopolitan admitted that she wore baggy clothes and cut her hair to disguise her gender to hide her identity. On walks back from the foodbank she would avoid eye contact with people around her and try to hide her carrier bag of tinned foods.

Currently, there is a rising issue in female poverty cases, especially for those who experience period poverty. The Independent found a study which presented 27% of women miss school or work due to period poverty. Further explaining how in the UK sanitation products are classed as a “luxury, non-essential item” which is subject to a 5% tax. Catherine, a woman who has lived in poverty since she was a child told of how she would always go to a friends’ house when she was unable to buy sanitary products.

Women living in poverty are also more at risk of being in abusive relationships. Catherine was living in a hostel when she was a teenager, however, much of her belongings was frequently stolen by people she was sharing with. Subsequently, she turned to her abusive boyfriend for help, although he was abusive, it gave her somewhere warm to stay. She soon left after one evening he injured her so badly, she had to leave. She found herself living on the streets in shame for three weeks whilst she was awaiting housing.

Society views these problems as caused by an individuals’ own choices, when in fact, a study conducted by Cosmopolitan, found that 59% of their readers would be unable to financially survive if they were to suddenly be made unemployed. Many people who live in poverty have lived in poverty from a young age and are subsequently stuck in the poverty trap. Catherine said, “it’s the stigmatisation, you feel you have nothing left to offer and it effects your self-esteem, you feel like you have to make yourself worthy.” Hence, Catherine tried to study towards getting some qualifications, but was met with judgement from her tutor when she admitted she was unable to access the online learning due to not having a laptop or the internet. Her tutor unhelpfully responded with, “in what day and age does someone not have access to the internet?” Many people in poverty experience comments which make them feel shameful of the situation they have been left in. It is a relentless, lonely struggle. Once Catherine was eventually granted somewhere to live, a friend took one look at her house and asked her, “why do you live in this shithole?”

Women are found more likely to go to lengths to conceal their reality of living below the poverty line. Gwen, a woman also living in poverty, told Cosmopolitan, her family found themselves in poverty when her dad’s injuries left him unable to continue in the army. At school, she qualified for free school meals, but her friends would often tease her for this. When Gwen was about to start college, she wanted to make a good impression so she managed to save £50 to spend on designer clothes in a charity shop. She said she feels a constant need of having to prove herself to other people. Gwen’s reality was that she bought 10p pasta in bulk to ensure her and her son always have something to eat, however, one meal must last her all day.

Centrepoint, a homeless charity for young people, is aiming to construct a new narrative towards people living in poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) also aims to solve many of the poverty inequalities in the UK. They feel it is important to understand the dominant patterns of the public’s attitudes towards poverty, to make a positive change in society. Centrepoint ensures young people have somewhere to live and something to eat, it provides support and sets up frequent visits from support workers to help young homeless people back onto their feet.