Research Paper On Katrina Gilbert

There are more than 40 million single mothers in the United States who are struggling financially. In a world where prices keep inflating and wages are being cut, single mothers have become the backbones of all fields. Paycheck to Paycheck follows the life of Katrina Gilbert, a single mother of three, who is considered to be part of the backbone of the nursing field. The United States has not been a positive factor in the help of single mothers but there are programs such as Chambliss Chamber where

Katrina Gilbert finds support. There are social structural factors that have influenced Katrina Gilbert’s life including disease and stress but there is support she receives, economically and socially.

To being with, Katrina is living from paycheck

Without a degree, it is harder to find a well-paying job which is why Katrina had to settle to be a CNA – Certified Nurse’s Assistant. Being a nurse takes a physical toll on any individual, but especially on Katrina. Another factor that influences her life is her health issues. Katrina cannot afford to have her own medical insurance so this means she cannot afford a doctor or medicines she needs to maintain a healthy body. Katrina stresses how much the medicines she needs came out to be, upwards of 400 dollars, and how she had to pick and choose which medicines she would be able to pay for. Other than her own health issues, she also has to worry about the wellbeing of her children. If her daughters or son were to get sick, she would have to call out and miss work and create a domino effect. Another social structural factor that affects her way of living is the children’s father. Jeremy is Katrina’s soon to be ex-husband, who does not help financially. He should be paying child support but has had trouble finding a job so has fallen behind on his payments. They are not officially divorced yet because the cost of getting divorced is high and neither Katrina or Jeremy can afford

This allows for her three kids and herself be able to have food in the fridge. However, this economic support is cutoff and now Katrina is struggling even more to make ends meet. She is being paid nine fifty an hour and most of the money she earns is towards all the bills she has to pay. There is a social and economic support from her landlord, he allows her to do partial payments. He goes on to say that Katrina is a good girl and how she is trying.

This support from her landlord allows Katrina to have a roof over her family and not out on the streets.

Katrina goes on to list all of the things she needs to pay such as rent, daycare, storage, car insurance, phone bill, and her loan. Being a certified nurse’s assistant means she works tirelessly for days, doing menial chores, and receives low pay. At the end of all the bills she must pay, Katrina says her money’s gone for all except gas to get to work. Having the support of her on and off again boyfriend, Chris, is another social support needed for Katrina’s endurance. Chris is a single father of four who understands the struggles Katrina goes through and has opened up his home to her and her children. This allows