2006 FACTS AND REALITIES

GENDER AND WAGE GAP

• 81% or women and 69% of men agree there is a difference in wages.

• 12% of women believe there is no gender gap compared with 24% of men

• 56% of Americans concur that a gap exists because employers will not train or promote women because they believe they will leave to have children.

• 41% say the gap exists because women prioritize family or work and are less committed to their careers.

• 51% say employers discriminate in hiring and promotion practices.

• 28% indicate gender differences in negotiation and assertiveness as a leading factor.

• 12% think it's because men are more likely to have the education/skills needed for higher paying jobs.

Women's skills and educational attainment are not considered an important factor in the gender pay gap by either men or women.

COLLEGE DEGREE GAP

• 1 in 4 Americans have a college degree. In Iowa 20% of women and 22% of men have college degrees.

• Iowa women rank 34th in percentage of women with 4 yr. degrees

• Today, 56% of undergraduates are women, up from 42% in 1970.

• The number of women graduate students grew from 39% to 58%.

• Women in professional programs (law, medicine, etc.) grew from 9% to 47%.

COLLEGE MAJOR GAP

• Today women earn more than 60% of the degrees in math.

• Despite the gains, women are still underrepresented in engineering and computer science. Men earn 79% of bachelor degrees in engineering and 72% in computer science.

• College educated women earn 80% more than women without a degree.

EARNINGS GAP

• During the last 30 years the gender gap has narrowed -- with women earning 79% of the wages of their male counterparts in 2002 compared to 63% in 1979.

• The median income for women in Iowa with college degrees is $33,100 and ranks 43rd in the nation.

• The earnings gap in Iowa is at 71.3% and ranks 15th in the country.

• The national gap amounts to $17,600 per year. Lost income for 30 years of work = $528,000.

HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

• Share the resources through discussions, forums, summits, roundtables, etc.

• Get involved. Identify your skills, passions, available time, and put your heads together.

• Research your community; survey local women to determine what issues are most pressing, share the results, and identify simple strategies.

• Promote Pay Equity, using AAUW's resource kit.

• Tell the media -- share the resources, findings.

• Tell your elected officials -- inform, lobby, share strategies.

• Use your vote in any election! Better yet, create a "get out the vote" campaign.

WHY SHOULD WE GET INVOLVED?
    "Because equity is still an issue."

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Contributed by Mary Ann Ahrens

 

 

 

In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.