Friday, April 3, 2009

Unemployment for Women

In these trying economic times, it can be really hard for most of us to hold down our jobs. It seems like every time I listen to the news or NPR, they are giving an update on which companies have made cutbacks in payroll and how many thousands of people they have booted out the door. Every time I hear these statistics, I always envision the long line snaking out the door of the unemployment office. I should know...as of this past week, I was one of those people.

According to the Austin Chronicle's 'On the Ledge' blog, Gov. Rick Perry is on the verge of denying unemployed citizens in Texas $555 million in federal unemployment assistance. The Democratic party has become concerned and taken the time to highlight some of the reforms in the UI system, including those that pertain to benefits for women (see the video).

Generally, I didn't think that gender mattered when it came to unemployment assistance. However, the amount of assistance offered to women, especially women who were only working part-time, is considerably lower than the average working person. The author of this article has made it a point to include clips from the press conference, held April 2nd, that focused on women who are mothers working part-time to support their children and women who are college students. Even though the blog isn't lengthy, it's obvious that the author is appealing to readers who would sympathize with these working mothers and students.

I was neither a working mother nor a part-time employee. However, given my current situation, I can definitely sympathize with these women. I am receiving a mere pittance from the government for the time I put in with my company. While this money is definitely appreciated, it is nowhere near enough to keep a single woman with 1 or more children afloat for very long.

1 comment:

  1. So I will be honest I have been following Adrienne's blogs for sometime. Well ok since the Titty Tax blog. ;D I figured it was worth reading because anyone posting that for a school grade has something to say and no issue saying what they felt. Life is to short to beat around bushes and it seemed she had something to say catchy title or not. However it is also not right to go around offending people for the sake of offending. She seemingly keeps this in balanced and does not come across over opinionated, which makes her blogs a nice read.

    My comments are in regards to her Unemployment for Women blog. Being a subject I am passionate about I would have to agree with her. She seemingly did not take a stance for or against the issues Perry is having with the Stimulus Package for Unemployment. She does however touch on the failures of the Unemployment program and its needs for reform in some way be it through the Perry accepting the package or not. Although the purpose of the blog is not entirely clear the problem stated is clear and easy to follow.

    A friend of mine was let go from the same company I worked for, and he is also having trouble supporting his two daughters while on unemployment. The tech field in which we worked for is flooded with people and in the past 20 people applied for a job. Now I am hearing 1000 or more are applying for that same job. So his unemployment may last for sometime and the children may only hinder his schedule and possibility for employment at certain jobs.

    With that being said I feel this article is gender based but I do understand that in most cases Texas tries not to separate the children from the mothers. So majority wins even though I feel gender is a part of this article creating a sympathy vote. Adrienne does note this in her article to her credit and I feel states the issue bluntly.

    In the past the newspapers would have front page photos of mothers holding their children in a mile long line at the unemployment office. Today with the internet and the lack of gathering those stunning pictures do not appear. So if it is gender specific so be it but the problem is the same, something needs to give.

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