Why is it acceptable to pay someone a wage that they couldn't possibly live off of?

We will call it a level entry job, then you can pay them dirt and just use the excuse they are getting work place experience.
Wasn’t that type of thing used on women just a few short years ago?
After all they don’t need to make the same wage as men do, they have a man in their life paying all the bills, was that fair to women?
A lot of people are trying to live off these so called level entry jobs, and need help at the end of their work week just to put food on the table.
I realize there are different pay scales, but no one should have to have government help just to put food on the table after a forty hour work week.