The second issue is the economic disparity between men and women, and the differences in their earning capabilities. Not only are women more likely to be single parents, they are also less likely to be given jobs then men, and are also apt to earn less at these jobs. The fact that even full-time employment in many cases did not provide enough of a living to support a family is a key indicator that something is wrong with society. Welfare is an attempt to address this problem, and even it falls short. This also leads to a feeling of injustice which is definitely felt by many on welfare, and is used to justify continuing payments by certain individuals DeParle mentions. In general, however, the families he depicts are struggling against external practical constraints and the inner struggle and strained energy reserves that this causes, with...
Depression is cited as one the primary -- perhaps the only -- reason that Angie loses her job at the postal office, and pregnancy issues as well as the attendant expenses of time, energy, and money that raising another child entails plague both Angie and Opal. Jewell does not start out with these same issues, but essentially has no employable skills beyond entry-level positions, with no real promise of advancement, Not being able t support herself on such jobs, she is forced to accept welfare as a means of getting by, while hiding what employment she does receive. This is fairly typical in DeParle's account of the welfare system.
