Great Graphic: Political Economy and Gender Relations

We have suggested capitalism is about relationships and these relationships are being transformed.  We often think and write about the relationships between citizens and their sovereigns and employees and employers.  

This Great Graphic is from Pew Research.   It provides some evidence of another relationship that is being transformed and that is the one between genders.  

Pew Research has found that young women (18-34) now put greater emphasis on career than men 66%-59%.  In 1997, men placed the greater emphasis 58%-56%.  

Even among the next age cohort (35-64), the importance given to career has risen considerably among women over the last fifteen years.  The gap with men has virtually closed (43% men, 42% women.  In 1997, women trailed 26% to 41%).  

Women made up 46.7% of the American work force in 2010.  In 1970, woman accounted for 38% of the workforce.  The financial crisis hit industries in which men tended to dominate, such as construction and manufacturing. The reverse is true during the recovery that began in 2009, namely men have generally done better.  

Women have made great strides in education.  In October 2010, 44% of women 18-24  were enrolled in college or graduate school.  Thirty-eight percent of men were.     Pew Research found that 36% of women 25-29 had a bachelor's degree compared with 28% of men, which is a record divergence.

The increased education achievements and presence in the work place has not translated to equal pay in the workplace.  However, important strides have been made.