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Pew Research Center
In a major reversal from the 1990s, young women are now more likely than young men to say a successful, high-paying career is one of the most important things in life, a new Pew Research Center study finds.
The report, released Thursday, found that 66 percent of women ages 18 to 34 said being successful and having a high-paying job are very important or one of the most important things in life. That compares to 59 percent of men that age who said the same thing.
Young women don’t seem to be willing to sacrifice other parts of their lives for their career, however. They were also more likely than men of the same age to say being a good parent and having a good marriage were among the most important things in life.
“They’re not backing away from wanting a successful marriage and wanting to be a successful parent,” said Kim Parker, associate director of Pew Social and Demographic Trends. “They’re saying they want all of those things.”
The most recent research is based on two surveys, conducted in 2010 and 2011, of working-age adults. Pew compared those results to a similar survey done in 1997.
The switch comes at a time when more women than men are getting college degrees, and women have come to make up close to half of the labor force.
Parker said that those changes have perhaps empowered women to want career success and financial rewards more than they used to. But she did not think the findings suggested that young men want those things less than they used to.
“I don’t think it’s saying anything negatively about men,” she said.
The percentage of women placing high importance on a successful, well-paying career has grown by 10 percentage points since 1997, Pew said. For men, it has increased by 1 percentage point.
The percentage of young women saying marriage is one of the most important things in life also has increased, from 28 percent in 1997 to 37 percent in 2010/2011. For men of that age, the importance of marriage has decreased during that time period, from 35 percent in 1997 to 29 percent in 2010/2011.
There was an increase among both young men and young women in the percentage who said that parenting is one of the most important things in life. Still, a higher percentage of women than men put high value on being a parent.
For both men and women, the importance of career and financial success lessens with age. The Pew study found that men and women ages 35 to 64 placed less value on workplace success than their younger peers.
Parker, the researcher, said it’s not clear whether the young women in the survey will remain as ambitious in their careers as they get older.
“It’ll be interesting to see if this plays out for them or if they end up running into glass ceilings or too many challenges in terms of balancing work and family,” she said.
There’s plenty of evidence that women start out virtually on par with men in terms of earnings, but then see their earnings fall behind as they get older.
In 2010, women in their late teens and early 20s earned about 95 cents for every dollar a man earned, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ analysis of median weekly earnings data. But women ages 55 to 64 earned just 75 cents for every dollar a man earned, according to that same data.
Overall, the wage gap between men’s and women’s weekly earnings has narrowed since record-keeping began in 1979. But it has always been generally true that the gender difference in pay was wider for older women than for younger women.
There are lots of theories as to why this is true, even for women and men who choose the same types of professions.
In 2009, University of Chicago professor Marianne Bertrand and her colleagues took a look at men and women who had earned MBAs from the university’s Booth School of Business between 1990 and 2006.
The researchers found that the male and female MBA grads started out earning about the same: $115,000 on average for women and $130,000 on average for men.
But the gap widened substantially as time went on. Nine years later, the women were earning $250,000 on average, while the men were taking home $400,000 on average.
They theorized that a major culprit was motherhood. The researchers found that women were taking more time off work, or not working at all, and also were more likely to be in jobs that paid less.
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They want it all, yes.
But especially with Gen Y, you should be asking: "Are you willing to work for it?"
Yes, I'm willing to work for it. It will probably be harder for my generation too. We graduated from college into a horrible economy and with more student loan debt than any other generation before us. I'm not complaining, just stating facts.
MNCS - I'm with ya. We've all heard that young folks today will be the first generation to have a lower standard of living than their parents (though I can find the quote, I'm having trouble finding a study to back it up). In the end, it's always been a myth that hard work will inevitably lead to success in the US. Doesn't mean one should quit working hard, but I'm not entirely hopeful that getting my work done quickly and accurately will be rewarded.
Remember, it's not what you know, it's who you know.
Yea MNCS.
I'm just noticing in our generation that we are very polarized: we have the group that works for what they want and earn their keep. Then we have (the seemingly very large by comparison) group that thinks they are entitled with minimal effort.
Maybe it's because I grew up in an affluent suburb. Bunch of spoiled brats.
Nah, they want it all "given" to them. My inlaws are entitled to it, I don't know why they think so, but they do. And I'm expected to pay for it.
Women, give them an inch and they want 7 more :)
Other than those that are not willing to work for it we also have a generation that doesn't realize the well paying jobs normally involve sacrafice in the being a good family man/woman at some point. The first 6 years of my daughters life I was lucky to see her and my wife 3 months out of the year. Financially speaking they were well taken care of, my wife did not have to nor did she work. After putting my time in the trenches and getting the experience I now only work about 45 to 55 hours a week on average, make more, and get to spend more time with my family.
Ruken very very good post...no doubt about that one!
Oh, puhleeze...Boomers were saying the same thing about Gen X 10 years ago. The WW2 generation said the same bloody thing about the boomers...and so forth. This old yarn is so old; SOCRATES is on record decrying the laziness and hedonistic youth of ancient Athens.
The reality is that Gen Y is graduating into an awful economy where the corporate ubermenchen outsource everything and the sink to some overseas rathole. They have quadruple the college debt that a Gen Xer had 15 years ago and fewer prospects to pay it off.
Both Gen X and Gen Y watched their parents and older siblings give it all to their careers and get a pink slip or pay cuts as a reward, taking on two or three jobs with no benefits or future just to keep solvent. A female of Gen X or Y has much more incentive to work hard and save - they're more likely to end up supporting themselves alone, outliving their spouses, or have to be the family breadwinner. They learned that they're on their own from Day 1 and they'd better get used to it.
When I was in High School, the majority of us had jobs on the side. We paid for our clothes, cars, entertainment (sometimes with a little help from our parents.)The thing is, our parents did not give us everything even if they could afford to do it. Even the rich kids had jobs. Something happened in the 1980's where parents started to coddle their kids. Immigrants took the jobs that teenagers used to do. I think their parents did the kids and the country a great disservice by not teaching them the value of work and money.
I was born in 1963, I am not part of the Baby Boom mindset nor Gen X.
All are important but a good marriage makes things fall in place. I'm already successful in my career and I have good kids I love my wife. All are importand but a good marriage makes things fall in place.
With all the outsourcing and the Importation taking away good paying jobs of industry, and not no fault of there own it seems Importation roars into the United States. You would think that if you pay income tax you would think you would trust that the Importation would be curbed here but no, so the man of the house either gives up or has to go out and scratch and claw for everything he can get, and that just sucked the life out of the American man.
They are not going to have it all. It is going to suck for them and there is not much they can do about it. Today's economic problems are not about what we are doing today. But they are about what we have already done. For many decades, FED made credit easy, America borrowed. We have inflated the money supply, prices and salaries with borrowed money. Debt has reached excessive levels with FED's leadership. FDIC guaranteed deposits and depositors never questioned bank actions. Fannie, Freddie guaranteed mortgages, banks gave mortgage to every breathing soul. The mistakes are already made. The cause is in place. The effect will follow. Google for "deflationary crash" to understand why.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman needs to do the work of 10 men in order to be recognized as a hard working employee especially in business.
Yes, 10 would be great but I would settle for 7 or 8.
Universally accepted propaganda from militant feminist ideology is likely the correct answer. No one cares for your hateful diatribe, good luck in life hating the other half of the population.
I've never heard a man say or even infer that, Lithien.
We have lots of incredibly talented women executives in my company and the most success ones don't have a chip on their shoulder.
In my daughters graduating class in 2010, six of the top ten students were female and four of them have been preparing to go to medical school. I think they're going to be okay.
going to med school doesn't mean they won't be facing discrimination as the "weaker" gender. In actuality, female med school grads, especially in specialty fields have to "prove" themselves.
I work with a female engineer and consider her work equal to mine. If I was a manager she would be paid the same as me, can't say if she really is or not though.
Being happy.
Turn that frown upside down. :)
I'm a stay at home dad, so family is everything for me. I don't have any particular career aspirations, though I have an English degree and have taken a lot of computer science courses. Though I'm good at both writing and programming, I don't really enjoy them.
I'm great at cooking, though, and gardening. I've toyed with the idea of going to culinary school after the kids grow up and move out. I'd like to open a bed and breakfast when I'm older, or run a small cafe. But I largely take it easy and enjoy the moments.
We found out that money isn't really that important. If you budget, you can live off one income just fine, even if it's only $23k/year net. The trick is to not try to live a lifestyle you can't afford.
While I am beyond the age of the survey, I long ago shuffled my priorities when I realized work stress and relationship stress were killing me. I now put much more value on my spiritual health and physical well-being. With that focus has come a great job (does not pay a lot, but it's fulfilling) and a wonderful spouse who shares my passions for nature and animals. Most importantly, we have our health. Ask the millionaire with the bad heart or cancer if he/she would trade the money for health. Precious few would say "no."
The Super Mom syndrome is alive and well. I see them everyday waiting in a line of thirty cars at Chic-fil-A and talking on the phone while speeding down the highway. Non-stop go go go. Burn out city.
Road Warrior - too damned true.
I have a good marriage, a solid career path, and no kids... yet. Unfortunately, people are screaming to cut the gov't budget, and I happen to be a scientist. I suppose it's not directly obvious to some people that the way our economy works, is that STEM drives technology forward, which in turn makes the economy better. Most of our funding comes from government sources. But that's ok, let's cut the budget, and somehow magically scientific advances will fall out of the sky.
We do need to cut the budget, just in the bloated military and runaway entitlement programs, not research. Unfortunately, each of those are someone's sacred cow. Research is the political football, because no one's really afraid to cut it, but everyone loves to preach about how much we need it. If politicians actually practiced what they preached, we'd be doing much better.
Spending time with my kids at the park, eating good (healthy) foods and having a very healthy sex filled life... Its never going to be perfect; take the good with the bad...
That pretty much says it all (about a perfect life) but the greedy/materialistic amongst us won't let that happen.
I had a marriage, but I am happier being divorced. If I have a good job, I can always get a woman.
The reason for the statistical shift is two fold:
1) Young girls are encouraged more to have a career than earlier generations.
2) Gen-Y boys have fallen victim to the early days of the "Helicopter Parent" syndrome. I see so many men in their early 30's who can not think for themselves, even if they have their own apt etc, even if they have college degrees, they go back to their mom for the simplest of advice - as if they were still 15yo. These boys physiques are often flaccid and amorphous, their conviction and drive are more 'neuter' than male. Of these same men, when they eventually marry, it is the wife with the more advanced education - and the wife approaches and hunts them like stable breeding stock, and control every aspect of the household... I have seen this role-reversal phenomenon a lot over the last 10 years.
It's nice to know that the obesity epidemic in this country is affecting young men, but that most young women are in great shape. Nice try, but most people in this country aren't blind.
Care to back up with some facts that young men are in worse shape than young women??
It's nice to know that your Schooling left with with useless reading comprehension skills, you should file a civil suit with all institutions involved.
I never said "the obesity epidemic in this country is affecting young men, but that most young women are in great shape."
Advice for your future Internetz posts: Read -> Comprehend -> Think -> Post.
Thanks for tanking the bell curve, and making this countries education system seem even more pathetic...
I know you never SAID the obesity epidemic wasn't affecting young women, but you sure did imply it oh brilliant one. I would merely suggest next time you post about how fat and out of shape young men in this country are that you not forget how fat and out of shape young women are as well. Just a thought for someone who is obviously at the top of the bell curve. ;)
And there are no institutions to sue, what is your excuse? Another basically useless degree would be my guess. You'd have been better off flushing that money down the toilet. Gender Studies, Philosophy, HR, so many to choose from I know I'm in the ballpark.
If I was to file suit against some liberal institution of higher learning for handing me out some pathetic, useless degree, make no mistake there would be plenty of funds to do so. Fortunately it's not something I have to worry about. I would consider taking some of your own on advice on this matter though.
Anyways, have fun struggling to make ends meet with your super great educationz.
Speaking of tanking the bell-curve, learn to use the possessive correctly--"country's" not "countries." One can only hope that was done to make a point. :)
With a good education you have a better chance to succeed than without one. Knowing how to work and get the job done is just as important. Good education and hard work will likely give you a nice middle class lifestyle. Just do not expect much more. Hard work never made anyone rich. If that were the case, coal miners would be millionaires. If you are satisfied having a single child, having a career also is a good option. Trying to have a career with multiple kids is not an option. Raising three or more kids is a full time occupation. Either the husband or the wife, will have to forget the career.
You can have all of the above. However, I believe it's the best it can be when you have a strong, healthy marriage. If you know how to give/receive love unconditionally in your marriage, then you also pass this onto your children, and interact with others at work in a conscientious, loving, respectful, courteous, manner as well. A healthy marriage is one in which both people continue to grow and pursue their own hobbies and interests (i.e. personal balance), as well as doing fun/romantic things together, as well as a whole family. The "jobs" may have to take some cuts (either part-time, flexible hours, or 1 stay at home parent) during the early childhood years, which given a long-term view--you really are able to have it all. Just know your priorities at all times, and be present in each moment.
If you're working part time, you aren't doing much to further your career. Thus, you aren't getting it "all."
I agree with you. All are importand but a good marriage makes things fall in place.
You can always make more money in your life, but you can't make more time. I was a stay at home mom for 10 years and it was the best time of my life.
It is the law of the jungle.
Males service females and then melt back into the forest.
Why bother with the other stuff ??
Because the rest of us left the jungle a long time ago.
You wouldn't understand.
klone
Or perhaps it is you who doesn't "understand?"
The most important thing is knowing what you want in life and finding a partner that shares the same interest and goals. This "All of the above" crap is not only ridiculous, but leads to disaster which I see around me everyday (including divorces, stress, regret, and general unhappiness). And i'm so glad I'm not a woman and have to deal with the issues they deal with. In fact I feel sorry for them. The pressures to have children and be married by a certain age are obviously so much more pressing and complex for them. It's accepted if a guy gets older and is not married - society doesn't hold it against them. But a woman becomes an old 'spinster'. I admire women who fight those stereotypes and chose the path they want rather than the path that society forces down their throat.
What good is a successful career if you've no one to share it with? The old saying is true - money can't buy happiness. I'd much rather be poor and in a happy marriage than to be rich and alone.
I've seen those girls who are more than willing to suck many cocks to get where they think they want to be. I cannot say categorically whether it's worth it or not, but if they're happy I'm happy. Can't say no to someone willing to serve in that capacity.
lmao! so true.
They want it all - but they want someone else to pay for it!
I think you are referring to the boomers.
A balanced and happy life does not necessarily mean having it all, including a family. That option is not one available to vote on - I see this frequently - in this case "most important" option would be linked to "Other" in the vote. How about including a vote for "balanced life" - with or without family or career attached. The results may be interesting.