Moving Beyond Poverty: Effects of Low-Wage Work on Individual, Social, and Family Well-Being. Issue 3 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shook, Jeffrey; Goodkind, Sara; Engel, Rafael J.; Wexler, Sandra; Ballentine, Kess L.
• Is Part Of: Families in society. Volume 101:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 259
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: poverty -- subjects of practice -- policy -- modes of practice -- research issues -- equity issues -- human rights -- social justice; Social service -- Periodicals; Social case work -- Periodicals; Family social work -- Periodicals; Social service -- United States -- Periodicals; Family social work; Social case work; Social service; United States; Periodicals; 362.82097305
• DOI: 10.1177/1044389420923473
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1044-3894

Abstract

Social work has long been committed to eliminating poverty, which is at the root of many of the social issues and challenges we address. Over 40% of the U.S. workforce makes less than $15/hour, and the accumulating evidence suggests this is not enough to meet basic needs. In this introduction to a special issue about low-wage work, we describe what is known regarding the experiences and well-being of low-wage workers, as well as promising policy and practice ideas to better support working families. We provide an overview of the included articles and conclude with encouragement for social workers to move beyond a narrow focus on poverty and more broadly consider the struggles and well-being of low-wage workers and their families.