It is in the interest of all women to understand the budgetary challenges we are facing, unite to hold back further erosion of our society, and push for a new set of values and priorities. We have been told, however, that our urgent problems are reducing the deficit and getting control of welfare mothers. Immigrants, families of color, and particularly single African-American mothers, are being singled out for attack to justify cutting or dismantling vital social programs. These policies have eroded the economic viability of most women and increased the stress in their lives. Most of the community and family work women do is vital to the US economy but is not paid or included in official GDP statistics.
Politicians rely on women to be the silent shock absorbers as they cut public services and programs.