An Analysis of the Assets for Independence Act of 1998 for Abused Women

Abstract

The abuse of women in the United States is a complex social problem that has also been interwoven with a history of their impoverishment. Although advocates have called for an increase in resources that would help with abused women's short-term economic stability, they have largely ignored the issue of formulating policy that would assist with asset accumulation as a means of obtaining long-term economic security. In an attempt to address this need, the author proposes that the federal government should amend the Assets for Independence Act of 1998 (AFIA) to specifically include abused women and explains the rationale for such a policy.