Answer

Women and Children Empowerment through the California Safety Net Policy

Introduction

            Structural feminism holds the belief that women are marginalized due to the patriarchal state of the society: this marginalization is largely evident in the glass ceiling, workplace harassments, and underrepresentation in the workplace. According to its proponents, this detrimental social structure prevents women from attaining financial stability, and rising above poverty levels. California’s safety net policy aims at reducing the effects of this systemic oppression by offering financial and social relief for families (mainly single mothers) through programs such as CalWORKs and CalFresh. The present piece engages its readership in a brief feministic exploration of California’s Safety Net Policy and how it affects Hispanic families.

Impacts of the Safety Net Policy on Hispanic Children and Families

As highlighted, California’s safety net policy is implemented through two programs, CalWORKS and CalFresh. The first is a financial relief program through which the state disburses cash assistance to at least 970 million residents while the latter is a food program that targets over 3.9 million residents on a monthly basis: it is commonly termed as food stamps (PPIC, 2020). Such programs are part of the government’s anti-poverty policy aimed at reducing the effects of poverty on low-income members of the society. Recent statistical findings confirm the notion that this policy approach is instrumental in improving the lives of Hispanic families, especially households that include single mothers. According to the census data posted on the state’s public portal, poverty is highest among Hispanic women aged 25-34 (United States Census Bureau, 2020). It suffices to clarify that Hispanics and women are generally more affected by this situation compared to members of other ethnicities and genders. For this reason, the California government should invest further in organizations that help alleviate the financial strain experienced by this demographic.

When placed into a feministic perspective, it is apparent that the socioeconomic trends recorded in California’s populace are largely attributable to the patriarchal nature of the society. Women are not given equal opportunities to participate in economic development, so they lag behind when it comes to financial stability (Pham, Flitzpatrick, & Wagner, 2018). The provision of financial support and food through CalWORKS and CalFresh is essential in enhancing the livelihoods of these marginalized members of the community.

Change Proposal and Impacts on Low-Income Hispanics

            Inasmuch as these public policy initiatives have reduced the number of Californians living with poverty by over 25 percent, it has failed to fully alleviate the problem. As a matter of fact, one in twenty state residents live in deep poverty regardless of the government’s efforts. For this reason, the recently-proposed Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, should be reconsidered since it will reduce the federal budget for the Safety Net Policy programs. According to Shinkman (2019), over 60,000 beneficiaries, including children and adults will no longer be eligible for CalFresh and Medi-Cal if this draconian policy is implemented.

Available Resources to Impede the Proposed Change

So far, organizations such as the Northern California Child Development (NCCD) can be utilized to impede the Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers from being implemented. Such entities can achieve this goal by lobbying and publicly advocating for the rights of these vulnerable members of the society.

Conclusion

            By now, it is apparent that the California Safety Net Policy is instrumental in alleviating poverty across its populace. Such initiatives are essential in promoting the experiences of women in the society as they juggle between taking care of their families and making ends meet in a patriarchal society, so they should be supported at all costs.