More girls are living in poverty and low-income households today than ten years ago. This is significant because these low socioeconomic-status (SES) girls face considerable challenges that affect their health, happiness, and achievement. 

 

In 2014, GEMS most lived in single-parent families in Florida (56 percent), New York (45%), and Georgia (45%). In 2015, one in five GEMS (19%) ages 12 to 15 lived in poverty. In 2015, 41 percent of GEMS ages 12 to 17 lived in low-income families. These rates are well above the national average (32%) and are highest for Hispanic/Latina girls (61%), black/African American girls (58%), and American Indian girls (61%).