Poverty is a complicated and varied socio-economic issue that affects millions of people worldwide. A lack of material resources required for a decent level of living can result in hunger, homelessness, and limited access to education, healthcare, and basic needs. This phenomenon has a special place in the literature, and the book Maid by Stephanie Land is a work that reflects the seriousness of this problem. In this essay will be explored the governing ideologies and stereotypes regarding poverty and homelessness in the United States, which can be found in Maid.
The governing ideologies, stereotypes and prejudices surrounding the impoverished and homeless in the United States sometimes portray them as deviants guilty of their own misfortunes. Although no one knows how a person ended up in such a challenging life circumstance, the mainstream culture perceives these groups as lazy, uninformed, and lacking in personal responsibility. An example of this is Land’s “Being poor, living in poverty, seemed a lot like probation – the crime being a lack of means to survive.” (Land, 2019, p. 8). The dominant society often views poor and homeless individuals as criminals. Society attributes stealing, cheating, and other morally wrong behavior to all poor people, even though the vast majority of them are innocent of their life circumstances.
Most people fall below the poverty line due to systemic factors such as economic inequality, lack of job opportunities, and social exclusion, however, people shift responsibility and blame the poor for their problems. The author confirms this with the words “It seemed like certain members of society looked for opportunities to judge and scold poor people for what they felt we didn’t deserve.” (Land, 2019, p. 67). Maid allows the reader to put themselves in the shoes of a poor person and try to understand how difficult it is to get out of this situation and how a judgmental society makes this struggle even more difficult.
There are other examples of behavior or actions in “Maid” that may be considered deviant. One example is Stephanie’s decision to take Mia to kindergarten despite her illness. “What is coming out of your nose?” asked a dark-haired woman, who I assumed was the day care assistant, one I’d never seen before, as she sauntered over to us. She directed the question at Mia, but she was really talking to me. As Mia reached up for me, the assistant turned away from us, shaking her head. I felt terrible that I had to leave Mia there. After doses of Tylenol, after her throwing up the night before, I didn’t have a choice (Land, 2019, p. 33)”. As a responsible parent, she had to leave the child at home and care for her until she was cured. However, circumstances did not allow her, and she again met with the condemnation of other people.
The first six chapters of “Maid” introduce the reader to Stephanie Land, the author, and her struggle as a single mother fighting to make ends meet. Stephanie’s tale is one of perseverance and persistence in adversity. The author sheds light on the systemic causes that contribute to poverty and the obstacles that low-wage employees encounter throughout these chapters. As a single mother, she describes the challenges of finding cheap accommodation, healthcare, and daycare. All this allows the reader to plunge into this complex atmosphere of despair and powerlessness. However, after reading, there is a desire to help people in a difficult situation, and any prejudices about them will certainly disappear. It becomes clear what difficulties the heroine had to face, and there is an understanding that millions of people worldwide face this every day, not being able to get out of it.
The Maid portrayal of the challenges of low-wage employees and the consequences of poverty on individuals and families is compelling and moving. Stephanie’s experience emphasizes the value of understanding, compassion, and assistance to people trying to make ends meet. Maid is an engrossing memoir that provides a unique perspective on the reality of poverty and the value of community and support structures.
Reference
Land, S. (2019). Maid: Hard work, low pay, and a mother’s will to survive. Hachette UK.