And Miles To Go Before We Sleep

Fact Sheet On U.S. Women Shows Men Still Hold The Power

Despite the general assumption that feminism is a dying agenda and no longer useful in today's world, a recent fact sheet on American women compiled by Ann Daly, Ph.D. show women have far to go before they have truly reached equality among the sexes.

“The next time anyone suggests that feminism has outlived its usefulness, just share a few of the hard facts,” Dr. Daly says. “Despite gains made in education and management, women are still woefully underrepresented as leaders in every field from government to law.

“The numbers tell a consistent story,” she adds. “In our culture, privilege and power still accrue to the men.”

Consider the following facts:

• During the recent economic downturn, women executives were more than three times as likely to lose their jobs because of downsizing than their male colleagues.
• Women constitute 50.8 percent of the population and hold only 16.8 percent of the seats in the United States Congress.
• Women represent 56.9 percent of undergraduate students and 60.3 percent of graduate students.
• Although 46 percent of assistant professors are women, only 23 percent serve as presidents in higher education.
• Although women hold 50.8 percent of managerial positions in the labor market, they represent only 3 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs.
• Women make up nearly one out of every two law firm associates, but they make up only one out of every six equity partners.
• One year out of college, women working full time earn 80 percent as much as men. Ten years after graduation, women earn 69 percent as much as men. Over their lifetimes, women (and their families) face lost wages totaling anywhere from $400 thousand to $2 million.
• Seventy-four percent of married women executives have spouses who work full time, while 75 percent of married men executives have spouses who stay home.
• Mothers put in 71 hours of work a week (both at the office and at home), while fathers log 67 hours.
• The additional leisure time married men have compared to married women adds up to almost five 40-hour work weeks per year.
• Two-thirds of working women believe that being male, younger, or more attractive would increase their chances of promotion. Eighty percent identify with the goals and ideals of feminism, and 43 percent feel strongly about it.
• The top reasons women leave companies to start their own businesses are the need for more flexibility, unhappiness with the work environment, a glass ceiling, and lack of challenge.
• Thirty-nine percent of young, highly qualified women see themselves as extremely or very ambitious, a bump up from 31 percent of their more senior colleagues.
• Sixteen percent of high-achieving women believe it’s likely a woman can “have it all,” while 39 percent believe it’s possible for men.
• Women apply for open positions when they believe they meet 100 percent of the listed criteria, whereas men apply if they feel they meet 60 percent of the requirements.
• Of women ages 50-70, 59 percent feel their greatest achievements are still ahead of them.

Source: Ann Daly, Ph.D., is a former women’s studies professor, and an executive/life coach devoted to the success and advancement of women. The award-winning author of six books, Dr. Daly is a guest columnist for more.com, the online community of More magazine. Visit anndaly.com for information.