Nothing is going to stop me now: Obstacles perceived by low-income women as they become self-sufficient

As low-income women struggle to become self-sufficient, they encounter many obstacles. The literature identifies physical and mental health problems, inadequate childcare, inadequate occupational skills, lack of transportatio n, criminal histories, and limited educational abilities as major barriers to be overcome in this transition. Qualitative data collected from low-inco me women attending Innovative Alternatives for Women, an occupational skill s and health information training center which was developed and implemente d by a nurse, refutes several of the previously identified obstacles. Inade quate childcare and transportation were not seen as barriers to success by the program participants, but were viewed as socially acceptable reasons fo r not working. Eight obstacles were identified by the program participants as being the real reasons for their lack of success. The identified obstacl es included the following: lack of self-esteem, especially relating to scho ol; "bad" relationships with men; lack of support from family and friends; limited life options; lack of training for nonwelfare recipients; lack of q uality programs; criminal histories; and fear of success.