Social Security Retirement

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how since its inception in 1935, in the midst of the great depression, social security has been debated and frequently reformed, usually on a fiscal level, rather than on a level that better meets the needs of the changing population. It focuses on social security in regards to women and, in particular, housewives who frequently stay home and labor for the good of the family. It contends that since social security is based on the idea of replacing at least a part of the financial earnings of an individual when they can no longer work women should be equally compensated.

From the Paper:

"Yet, the pay inequality between the gender's does effect the outcome of payment as women, even heads of households tend to make significantly less money than male contemporaries so basing compensation on previous earnings clearly disadvantages women, especially when the payment system in play is significantly lower than the real wages of the individual. (Gregory, 2003, p. 8) In an attempt to create an equitable system, the systems has created rifts that continue to disadvantage women. (Hoar, 2006, p. 43) Additionally women are disadvantaged in that many receive compensation based on death benefits of their previously earning spouse, yet when they remarry their benefit ends, leaving many women making hard life choices about moving on with their lives once a spouse has died."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abramovitz, M. (1988). Regulating the Lives of Women: Social Welfare Policy from Colonial Times to the Present. Boston: South End Press.
• Adler, M., Bell, C., Clasen, J., & Sinfield, A. (Eds.). (1991). The Sociology of Social Security. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
• Berrick, J. D. (1997). Faces of Poverty: Portraits of Women and Children on Welfare. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Chafe, W. H. (1978). Changing Patterns in American Culture Changing Patterns in American Culture. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Choudhury, S., & Leonesio, M. V. (1997). Life-Cycle Aspects of Poverty among Older Women. Social Security Bulletin, 60(2), 17.

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