There is no simple explanation for why Katrina is living paycheck to paycheck.
Through no fault of her own, her husband became hooked on prescription pain medication and drained the family savings feeding his addiction. Katrina did not attend college, which limits her job prospects and earning potential. However the documentary illustrates her attempts to go back to school in order to better her financial future, only to be faced with lack of financial assistance. During the duration of the film, she is supporting herself and three children on a $9.49 per hour salary, and after two years she receives a mere fourteen-cent raise for her efforts. Katrina defies the stereotype that she is impoverished due to laziness.
She works long hours at a difficult job that few would envy. Additionally, we see how she constantly prioritizes her children, to a financial deficit for herself. For example, she pays for their father’s gas in order for her children to maintain a relationship with him, and will drive long hours to drop them off with him. Because she and her ex are still on good terms, she does not force him to pay child support while he searches for a job and tries to get back on his feet, despite her own struggles.Katrina also does not officially divorce her husband because neither can afford it. In that way, she is facing a financial burden placed on her by the structure of our society. To make matters worse, Katrina suffers from Grave’s Disease and needs costly medications to treat her condition. She does not have any medical insurance due to her monetary situation, which makes doctors visits and buying medication all the more expensive. She often has to pick which medications she wants to take because she cannot afford to fill all the prescriptions. Beyond not filling prescriptions, Katrina does what she can to reduce her expenses including giving away the family dog. When heavy rains cause her house to flood, she is not able to repair it. These factors, combined with infinitely many others, led to Katrina’s socio-economic situation. 2) One of the greatest support systems Katrina has is the daycare facility she takes her children. The Chambliss Center …show more content…
For someone in Katrina’s situation as a low-income, single parent, it seems like more aid should be available.
I was personally very moved by this documentary. To see Katrina continually striving to do better for her family, yet always facing setbacks was heartbreaking. Despite her hard work, she could not catch a break. While the film was in a way poignant, it was equally inspiring. To see Katrina work hard continuously and selflessly for her children and maintain her optimism made any obstacle seem surmountable. The documentary shed light on the plight of millions of Americans living at or below the poverty line.
While many great assistance programs are currently in place, they are clearly not enough.
Whether through reforming existing programs or developing new ones, it is clear our country needs to change the way we aid those in need. For example, the government could provide assistance to people who disassociate themselves from drug-addicted family members. We need to abandon the idea that poverty is a direct result of laziness or solely the fault of the individual. While in some cases that may be true, examples like
Katrina demonstrate endless hard work to no
Through no fault of her own, her husband became hooked on prescription pain medication and drained the family savings feeding his addiction. Katrina did not attend college, which limits her job prospects and earning potential. However the documentary illustrates her attempts to go back to school in order to better her financial future, only to be faced with lack of financial assistance. During the duration of the film, she is supporting herself and three children on a $9.49 per hour salary, and after two years she receives a mere fourteen-cent raise for her efforts. Katrina defies the stereotype that she is impoverished due to laziness.
She works long hours at a difficult job that few would envy. Additionally, we see how she constantly prioritizes her children, to a financial deficit for herself. For example, she pays for their father’s gas in order for her children to maintain a relationship with him, and will drive long hours to drop them off with him. Because she and her ex are still on good terms, she does not force him to pay child support while he searches for a job and tries to get back on his feet, despite her own struggles.Katrina also does not officially divorce her husband because neither can afford it. In that way, she is facing a financial burden placed on her by the structure of our society. To make matters worse, Katrina suffers from Grave’s Disease and needs costly medications to treat her condition. She does not have any medical insurance due to her monetary situation, which makes doctors visits and buying medication all the more expensive. She often has to pick which medications she wants to take because she cannot afford to fill all the prescriptions. Beyond not filling prescriptions, Katrina does what she can to reduce her expenses including giving away the family dog. When heavy rains cause her house to flood, she is not able to repair it. These factors, combined with infinitely many others, led to Katrina’s socio-economic situation. 2) One of the greatest support systems Katrina has is the daycare facility she takes her children. The Chambliss Center …show more content…
For someone in Katrina’s situation as a low-income, single parent, it seems like more aid should be available.
I was personally very moved by this documentary. To see Katrina continually striving to do better for her family, yet always facing setbacks was heartbreaking. Despite her hard work, she could not catch a break. While the film was in a way poignant, it was equally inspiring. To see Katrina work hard continuously and selflessly for her children and maintain her optimism made any obstacle seem surmountable. The documentary shed light on the plight of millions of Americans living at or below the poverty line.
While many great assistance programs are currently in place, they are clearly not enough.
Whether through reforming existing programs or developing new ones, it is clear our country needs to change the way we aid those in need. For example, the government could provide assistance to people who disassociate themselves from drug-addicted family members. We need to abandon the idea that poverty is a direct result of laziness or solely the fault of the individual. While in some cases that may be true, examples like
Katrina demonstrate endless hard work to no