Paycheck To Poverty Analysis
“Katrina Gilbert is 1 of 42 million American women living near or below the poverty line”. Gilbert is representative of women all over the nation who face similar trials daily. The documentary, Paycheck to Paycheck, shows us a portrayal of women’s lives that’s less about work/life balance and more about work/life survival. Like Katrina, earning $9.49 an hour (in some cases even less) many women face the struggles of poverty and living paycheck to paycheck. In Katrina’s situation, as a single woman, she was barely able to meet financial obligations because her salary was devoted to monthly expenses. These expenses surpassed the bi-weekly $750 check she received to make ends meet. Although Katrina works a 40 - or more - hour week, she still must
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often choose between getting food for her children and getting medicine for her own thyroid condition. Katrina’s food stamps are taken away from her when she may have needed them the most to have food to feed herself and her children. She has no health insurance, no support from her ex-husband, who has his own substance abuse issues which keep him from holding down a job, and she lives in a trailer that leaks. Although Katrina worked overwhelmingly hard every day to be able to provide for her and her children, societal structures presented themselves to be working against her every attempt to succeed. After Katrina received her Earned Income Tax Credit Refund, she was troubled with what was most important to pay for first. Does she pay off her car, get herself health insurance and visit the doctor, or finally buy her children birthday presents, something she couldn’t do the year before? After seeing the doctor and being prescribed $400 worth of medication for her constant headaches, thyroid condition, sinus infection, and panic attacks — a sum she can’t afford, saying she’ll have to pick and choose — what she decides to prioritize
becomes the haunting question. Health insurance would mean that she wouldn’t face a nearly $300 bill when she visits the doctor for her chronic health problems, but she does not have the funds to afford health insurance. What’s clear from the movie is how precarious life is when living so close to the edge of poverty. Katrina’s earlier personal choices may have contributed to the current state she is forced to abide by, but it’s problematic to say that she is solely responsible for the way things are. Her husband of 10 years had an addiction to pain pills and left her and her three children under the age of seven years old to fend for themselves. Katrina had dreams of owning a home before the age of 28 and her ex husband took that opportunity away from her. All of their money was spent on pain pills to nurture his addiction, which changed their lives beyond control. As stated earlier, the social construct appears to be working against her. Katrina had the desire to better herself and continue her education by attending college, but was denied financial aid that could potentially put her in a place to better her future. Financial aid would allow her to get a degree that would open up new career paths. She made an annual salary of $18,000 and the denial of financial aid was a setback and absurd. Even just a little extra money would make all the difference but mysteriously Katrina was not eligible for any aid. When she’s turned down for financial aid to go back to school, her dream of finishing a degree and getting a better job appears out of reach. Although Katrina found herself in many different situations that would typically make a person throw in the towel, she prevailed. Katrina had people in her life to help look after her children at a subsidized rate, known as Chambliss. Currently, there is a waiting list of 230 children hoping to be enrolled, so that just like Katrina, other parents have the privilege of
leaving their children in good hands, while work hard to maintain a sustainable living.
Katrina also has the support of her recovered husband who moved to Chattanooga to help Katrina in looking after their children. Fortunately for the family, Katrina was able to bring her sick daughter to her ex-husband’s house instead of taking a day off work, which avoided a potential financial catastrophe since she doesn’t get paid sick days. Last but certainly not least, Katrina’s living situation was given grace as she was able to make payments towards her rent to keep a roof over her children’s head. Although everything in Katrina’s life appeared to be crumbling down, she held tight to being a phenomenal role model for her children, by always telling them that they could do whatever they set their minds to. However, many more Katrina Gilberts remain in a life of poverty, trying desperately, day after day, to make a life for themselves and their families. Katrina, like many Americans, doesn’t want a hand out. But she knows she needs something to change to give her just a bit more breathing room. Her story shows how small changes can have huge impacts. Paycheck to Paycheck was created to start a national conversation about minimum wage, affordable child care and health care—the policies that would help all manner of vulnerable
people.
often choose between getting food for her children and getting medicine for her own thyroid condition. Katrina’s food stamps are taken away from her when she may have needed them the most to have food to feed herself and her children. She has no health insurance, no support from her ex-husband, who has his own substance abuse issues which keep him from holding down a job, and she lives in a trailer that leaks. Although Katrina worked overwhelmingly hard every day to be able to provide for her and her children, societal structures presented themselves to be working against her every attempt to succeed. After Katrina received her Earned Income Tax Credit Refund, she was troubled with what was most important to pay for first. Does she pay off her car, get herself health insurance and visit the doctor, or finally buy her children birthday presents, something she couldn’t do the year before? After seeing the doctor and being prescribed $400 worth of medication for her constant headaches, thyroid condition, sinus infection, and panic attacks — a sum she can’t afford, saying she’ll have to pick and choose — what she decides to prioritize
becomes the haunting question. Health insurance would mean that she wouldn’t face a nearly $300 bill when she visits the doctor for her chronic health problems, but she does not have the funds to afford health insurance. What’s clear from the movie is how precarious life is when living so close to the edge of poverty. Katrina’s earlier personal choices may have contributed to the current state she is forced to abide by, but it’s problematic to say that she is solely responsible for the way things are. Her husband of 10 years had an addiction to pain pills and left her and her three children under the age of seven years old to fend for themselves. Katrina had dreams of owning a home before the age of 28 and her ex husband took that opportunity away from her. All of their money was spent on pain pills to nurture his addiction, which changed their lives beyond control. As stated earlier, the social construct appears to be working against her. Katrina had the desire to better herself and continue her education by attending college, but was denied financial aid that could potentially put her in a place to better her future. Financial aid would allow her to get a degree that would open up new career paths. She made an annual salary of $18,000 and the denial of financial aid was a setback and absurd. Even just a little extra money would make all the difference but mysteriously Katrina was not eligible for any aid. When she’s turned down for financial aid to go back to school, her dream of finishing a degree and getting a better job appears out of reach. Although Katrina found herself in many different situations that would typically make a person throw in the towel, she prevailed. Katrina had people in her life to help look after her children at a subsidized rate, known as Chambliss. Currently, there is a waiting list of 230 children hoping to be enrolled, so that just like Katrina, other parents have the privilege of
leaving their children in good hands, while work hard to maintain a sustainable living.
Katrina also has the support of her recovered husband who moved to Chattanooga to help Katrina in looking after their children. Fortunately for the family, Katrina was able to bring her sick daughter to her ex-husband’s house instead of taking a day off work, which avoided a potential financial catastrophe since she doesn’t get paid sick days. Last but certainly not least, Katrina’s living situation was given grace as she was able to make payments towards her rent to keep a roof over her children’s head. Although everything in Katrina’s life appeared to be crumbling down, she held tight to being a phenomenal role model for her children, by always telling them that they could do whatever they set their minds to. However, many more Katrina Gilberts remain in a life of poverty, trying desperately, day after day, to make a life for themselves and their families. Katrina, like many Americans, doesn’t want a hand out. But she knows she needs something to change to give her just a bit more breathing room. Her story shows how small changes can have huge impacts. Paycheck to Paycheck was created to start a national conversation about minimum wage, affordable child care and health care—the policies that would help all manner of vulnerable
people.