Progress towards equality of men and women slowed down in the USA, a recent study found after reviewing 5 decades of developments.

Equality of men and women: Utopia or possible reality?

In developed societies, equality of men and women had been progressing in giant leaps at the start when the feminist movement gained traction in 1960s, but recently the progress slowed down, a recent study unveiled.

Paula England, the study’s author, pointed out that in 1970s changes were substantial and it was like “picking the low hanging fruit”. However, in recent decades there was no substantial progress in many areas considered.

In her opinion, “Further progress will require deeper cultural and institutional change.”

The data from 1970 to 2018 was reviewed.

• The level of employment among females aged 25-54 increased from 48% (1970) to 75% (2000). However, it dropped within the following years. In 2008-2010 it dropped to 69%, rebounding to 73% in 2018. Now in 2020 it’s likely to drop heavily once again.
• The median hourly earnings of males (in 2018 dollars, adjusted) were $27-28 in 1970s. By mid-1990s the value of these earnings dropped to $23. On average, males were making $22-25 per hour in 2000-2018.
• Women’s median earnings were on the level $17 per hour in 1970s. From 2000s onwards women earned around $20 per hour.
• In 1970s, the ratio of male to female earnings was 0.60. In 1980s it went to 0.74. It did continue to rise, but at a slower rate. By 2018 it was 0.83.
• However, women are outperforming men in getting tertiary education. In 1970, there were 76 females getting bachelor degrees for 100 males. By 2016, there were 34% more females than males getting such degrees.

However, among various occupations, women still tend to choose certain professions, while males are more prevalent in others. More women pick male-dominated occupations, but the speed of drop of segregation decreased in recent years.

According to the study authors, further progress would require more active participation of men in sharing household chores and childcare duties. They also point to the need for government-funded childcare and government-regulated employment policies to reduce segregation within occupations.

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