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
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