This work investigates the psychological and social realities of women living in poverty and the mechanisms they employ to navigate systemic hardship. Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist and Harvard professor, along with Jane Hallowell Coles, utilize extensive clinical interviews and observational research to document the lives of five distinct women. The authors argue that despite profound socioeconomic constraints, these individuals demonstrate significant resilience and complex internal lives that are often overlooked by traditional sociological frameworks.

Experts frequently cite this text as a foundational contribution to qualitative sociology and the study of marginalized populations. Readers often note the empathetic yet clinical tone of the prose, which balances academic rigor with the raw personal accounts of the subjects.