American Women: Who They Are and How They Live, 4th Edition

Women’s lives have changed dramatically over the past few decades. Behind the change is the rise of a new economy based on services rather than manufacturing, which rewards the educated and encourages women to go to work. American Women: Who They Are and How They Live brings you all-important demographic data showing the size of the female population, its changing age distribution, rising educational attainment, and evolving racial composition. It also includes details on the characteristics of Asians, the latest labor force projections, up-to-date population projections, a chapter on women’s time use, and a new chapter comparing the attitudes of men and women.

American Women is designed for easy use. It is divided into ten chapters, organized alphabetically, on attitudes education, health, income, labor force, living arrangements, population, spending, time use, and wealth. To help you compare and contrast the data, where possible identically structured tables appear in its companion volume, American Men.

Introduction

Chapter 1. Attitudes
Highlights
Most Women Are Pretty Happy
Women Have Great Faith in the American Dream
Sexual Attitudes Vary Greatly by Age
Women Support Egalitarian Sex Roles
Women Are More Religious than Men
Few Young Women Read a Daily Newspaper
Many Women Are Not Interested in Politics
Women Have Mixed Feelings about Government
Few Americans Own a Gun
Americans Support Capital Punishment

Chapter 2. Education
Highlights
Women’s Educational Attainment Has Soared
Young Women Are Better Educated than Older Women
Most Women Have College Experience
Non-Hispanic Whites Are Most Likely to Be High School Graduates
Many Older Women Are in School
College Enrollment Rate May Have Peaked
Colleges Are Seeing Declines in Female Enrollment in Most Age Groups
One-Third of Female College Students Are Minorities
Most Older Students Are Part-Timers
Hispanics Are Least Likely to Attend School Full-Time
In College, Men and Women Have Similar Objectives
Among College Freshmen, Women Are Less Confident than Men
Women Earn Most College Degrees
Women Earn Most Degrees in Education
Women Are Nearly Half of New Lawyers
Many Women Participate in Adult Education

Chapter 3. Health
Highlights
Most Women Are Overweight
Women Are More Likely to Get Nipped and Tucked
Among Women, Former Smokers Outnumber Current Smokers
High Blood Pressure Is Common among Older Women
Most Women of Childbearing Age Use Contraceptives
The Abortion Rate Is Highest among Young Women
More Women Are Childless
Most New Mothers Are in Their Twenties
Minorities Account for a Large Share of Births
Unmarried Mothers Are Common
Caesarean Rate Rises with Age
Many Women Do Not Have Health Insurance
Women Dominate Many Health Problems
Females Account for Most Physician Visits
Prescription Drugs Use Is the Norm
Females Are the Majority of Hospital Patients
Women Account for Most Nursing Home Residents
Heart Disease Is the Leading Killer of Women

Chapter 4. Income
Highlights
Women’s Median Income Is Growing
Big Income Gains for Women in Most Age Groups
Black Women Have Enjoyed the Biggest Income Gains Since 1990
Women’s Median Income Has Grown in Every Region
Incomes Are Highest for Women Aged 45 to 54
Among Women Working Full-Time, Asians Have the Highest Incomes
Women Are Gaining on Men
Women’s Earnings Rise with Education
Pharmacists Are the Highest Paid Women
Female-Headed Families Have Lost Ground Since 2000
Married Couples Are the Nation’s Income Elite
Female-Headed Families Have Below-Average Incomes
Low Incomes for Older Women Who Live Alone
Most of the Nation’s Poor Are Female

Chapter 5. Labor Force
Highlights
The Labor Force Participation of Women Has Stabilized
Unemployment Is Highest among Young Women
Black Women Are Most Likely to Work
Most Working Women Work Full-Time
Working Parents Are the Norm
Dual Earners Account for the Majority of Couples
Job Tenure Has Increased for Women
Women Dominate Some Occupations
One-Third of Women Work in the Education and Health Services Industries
Few Women Are Self-Employed
Alternative Work Arrangements Attract Millions of Women
Union Membership Is Unlikely for Women Workers
Among New Workers, Millions Will Be Women
More Older Women Will Be at Work

Chapter 6. Living Arrangements
Highlights
Half of Women Are Married
Black Women Are Least Likely to Be Married
Divorce Is Highest among Women in Their Fifties
Many Children Live with Their Mother Only
The Largest Share of Women Are Married Householders
Women Account for the Majority of Americans Who Live Alone
Married Couples Are Shrinking as a Share of Households
Household Diversity Is Greatest among the Young and the Old
Households Vary Greatly by Race and Hispanic Origin
Less than One-Third of Households include Children under Age 18
Most Families Find Nest Slow to Empty
Married Couples Are Much Better Educated than Single Parents
Husbands and Wives Are Alike in Many Ways
More than 6 Million Women Are Unmarried Partners

Chapter 7. Population
Highlights
Number of Women in Their Sixties to Grow Rapidly
Females Outnumber Males by Millions
Hispanic and Asian Populations Are Growing the Fastest
Non-Hispanic Whites Account for Less than Two-Thirds of the Nation’s Females
Diversity of Females Varies Sharply by Age
Female Population Grew Fastest in the West
Only 13 Percent of Females Move Each Year
Nearly Half the Foreign-Born Are Female
Females Are the Majority of Legal Immigrants

Chapter 8. Spending
Highlights
Married Couples Spend More than Average
Women Who Live Alone Spend Less than Average

Chapter 9. Time Use
Highlights
Leisure Activities Rank Second in Time Use among Women
Older Women Spend the Most Time Eating and Drinking
Working Mothers Have Less Leisure Time
Caring for Children Is Women’s Work
Women Have More Leisure Time on Weekends
Nearly Three Out of Four Women Are Online
More than One in Four Women Volunteer
Women Are in the Majority in Many Religious Congregations
Females Are the Majority of Participants in Many Sports

Chapter 10. Wealth
Highlights
Net Worth Rises with Age
Financial Assets Have Declined
For Most Americans, the Home Is Their Most Valuable Asset
Most Households Are in Debt
Homeownership Is the Norm for Older Women
American Workers Lack Retirement Coverage
Expected Age of Retirement Has Climbed

Glossary

Bibliography

Index

List of tables

Chapter 1. Attitudes
1.1 General Happiness, 2006
1.2 Life Exciting or Dull, 2006
1.3 Trust in Others, 2006
1.4 Afraid to Walk in Neighborhood at Night, 2006
1.5 Should Marijuana Be Made Legal, 2006
1.6 Standard of Living Will Improve, 2006
1.7 Parents’ Standard of Living, 2006
1.8 Children’s Standard of Living, 2006
1.9 Satisfaction with Financial Situation, 2006
1.10 Premarital Sex, 2006
1.11 Homosexual Relations, 2006
1.12 Better for Man to Work, Woman to Tend Home, 2006
1.13 Working Mother Doesn’t Hurt Children, 2006
1.14 Happiness of Marriage, 2006
1.15 Favor Spanking to Discipline Child, 2006
1.16 Degree of Religiosity, 2006
1.17 Frequency of Prayer, 2006
1.18 Scientific Knowledge: Human Beings Developed from Animals, 2006
1.19 Science Makes Our Way of Life Change Too Fast, 2006
1.20 Frequency of Reading the Newspaper, 2006
1.21 Main Source of Information about Events in the News, 2006
1.22 Interest in Politics, 2006
1.23 Political Leanings, 2006
1.24 Political Party Affiliation, 2006
1.25 Computer Data a Threat, 2006
1.26 Government Right to Jail People without Trial, 2006
1.27 Government Right to Tap Phones, 2006
1.28 Government Right to Search People at Random, 2006
1.29 Have Gun in Home, 2006
1.30 Favor or Oppose Gun Permits, 2006
1.31 Does Respondent or Spouse Hunt, 2006
1.32 Favor or Oppose Death Penalty for Murder, 2006
1.33 Allow Patients with Incurable Disease to Die, 2006
1.34 Abortion for Any Reason, 2006
1.35 Abortion if a Woman Is Pregnant as a Result of Rape, 2006
1.36 Abortion if Woman’s Health Is Seriously Endangered, 2006

Chapter 2. Education
2.1 Educational Attainment of Women, 1950 to 2007
2.2 Women Who Have Graduated from High School and College by Age, 2007
2.3 Educational Attainment of Women by Age, 2007
2.4 Female High School and College Graduates by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2007
2.5 Female High School and College Graduates by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2007
2.6 School Enrollment of Females by Age, 2006
2.7 College Enrollment Rate by Sex, 1990 to 2006
2.8 College Enrollment of Women, 1990 to 2006
2.9 Women in College by Age, 2000 to 2006
2.10 Women in College by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2000 to 2006
2.11 Women in College by Age and Attendance Status, 2006
2.12 Female College Students by Race, Hispanic Origin, and Attendance Status, 2006
2.13 Objectives of College Freshmen by Sex, 2007
2.14 Self-Confidence of College Freshmen by Sex, 2007
2.15 Degrees Earned by Women by Level of Degree, 2005–06
2.16 Degrees Earned by Women by Level of Degree, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2005–06
2.17 Associate’s Degrees Earned by Women by Field of Study, 2005–06
2.18 Bachelor’s Degrees Earned by Women by Field of Study, 2005–06
2.19 Master’s Degrees Earned by Women by Field of Study, 2005–06
2.20 Doctoral Degrees Earned by Women by Field of Study, 2005–06
2.21 First-Professional Degrees Earned by Women by Field of Study, 2005–06
2.22 Participation in Adult Education by Sex, 2005

Chapter 3. Health
3.1 Average Measured Weight of Women by Age, 1976–80 and 1999–2002
3.2 Overweight and Obese Women by Age, 1976–80 and 2001–04
3.3 Women’s Participation in Leisure-Time Physical Activity by Age, 2005
3.4 Cosmetic Surgery among Females, 2007
3.5 Cigarette Smoking Status of Women, 2007
3.6 Cigarette Smoking among Women by Demographic Characteristic, 2002–04
3.7 Alcohol Drinking Status of Women, 2007
3.8 Alcoholic Drinking Status of Women by Selected Characteristics, 2002–04
3.9 High Blood Pressure among Women by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 1988–94 and 2001–04
3.10 High Cholesterol among Women by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 1988–94 and 2001–04
3.11 Contraceptive Use by Age, 2002
3.12 Abortions, 1973 to 2004
3.13 Childless Women by Age, 2000 and 2006
3.14 Births by Age of Mother, 2006
3.15 Births by Age of Mother and Birth Order, 2006
3.16 Births by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2006
3.17 Births to Unmarried Women by Age, 2006
3.18 Fertility Characteristics by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2006
3.19 Births by Age and Method of Delivery, 2005
3.20 Health Insurance Coverage by Type, 2007
3.21 Health Conditions among Women, 2007
3.22 AIDS Cases through 2005
3.23 Difficulties in Physical Functioning among Women, 2007
3.24 Physician Office Visits by Females, 2005
3.25 Prescription Drug Use among Females by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 1999–2002
3.26 Visits by Females to Hospital Outpatient Departments, 2005
3.27 Hospital Discharges and Length of Stay among Females by Age, 2006
3.28 Discharges of Females from Hospitals by Diagnosis, 2006
3.29 Discharges of Females from Hospitals by Procedure, 2006
3.30 Nursing Home Residents by Age, 2004
3.31 Leading Causes of Death, 2005
3.32 Life Expectancy by Age and Sex, 2006

Chapter 4. Income
4.1 Median Income by Sex, 1990 to 2007
4.2 Median Income of Women by Age, 1990 to 2007
4.3 Median Income of Women by Race and Hispanic Origin, 1990 to 2007
4.4 Median Income of Women by Region, 1990 to 2007
4.5 Income of Women by Age, 2007
4.6 Income of Women by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2007
4.7 Median Income of Full-Time Workers by Sex, 1990 to 2007
4.8 Earnings of Women Who Work Full-Time by Education, 2007
4.9 Median Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Workers by Occupation and Sex, 2007
4.10 Median Income of Households Headed by Women, 1990 to 2007
4.11 Income of Households Headed by Women, 2007
4.12 Income of Married Couples by Age of Householder, 2007
4.13 Income of Married Couples by Work Status of Husband and Wife, 2007
4.14 Earnings Difference between Husbands and Wives, 2007
4.15 Wives Who Earn More than Their Husbands, 1981 to 2007
4.16 Income of Female-Headed Families by Age of Householder, 2007
4.17 Income of Women Living Alone by Age, 2007
4.18 Females in Poverty, 1990 to 2007
4.19 Females in Poverty by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2007
4.20 Married Couples and Female-Headed Families in Poverty, 1990 to 2007

Chapter 5. Labor Force
5.1 Women’s Labor Force Participation by Age, 1990 to 2007
5.2 Employment Status of Women by Age, 2007
5.3 Women’s Labor Force Participation by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2007
5.4 Women Working Full- or Part-Time by Age, 2007
5.5 Labor Force Status of Married Couples and Female-Headed Families with Children under Age 18, 2007
5.6 Labor Force Status of Women by Presence of Children, 2007
5.7 Labor Force Status of Married-Couple Family Groups, 2007
5.8 Job Tenure of Women by Age, 2000 to 2008
5.9 Long-Term Employment among Women by Age, 2000 to 2008
5.10 Female Workers by Occupation, 2007
5.11 Women’s Share of Employed by Detailed Occupation, 2007
5.12 Employment of Women by Industry, 2007
5.13 Self-Employed Women by Age, 2007
5.14 Women with Alternative Work Arrangements by Age, 2005
5.15 Union Representation of Women by Age, 2007
5.16 Workers Entering and Leaving the Labor Force by Sex, 2006 to 2016
5.17 Women in the Labor Force by Age, 2006 and 2016

Chapter 6. Living Arrangements
6.1 Marital Status of Women by Age, 2007: Total Women
6.2 Marital Status of Women by Age, 2007: Asian Women
6.3 Marital Status of Women by Age, 2007: Black Women
6.4 Marital Status of Women by Age, 2007: Hispanic Women
6.5 Marital Status of Women by Age, 2007: Non-Hispanic White Women
6.6 Marital History of Women by Age, 2004
6.7 Living Arrangements of Children by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2007
6.8 Children Living with Their Mother Only by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2007
6.9 Women by Living Arrangement and Age, 2007
6.10 People Who Live Alone by Age and Sex, 2007
6.11 Women Who Live Alone by Age, 2007
6.12 Households by Type, 2000 and 2007
6.13 Number of Households by Type and Age of Householder, 2007
6.14 Distribution of Households by Household Type and Age of Householder, 2007
6.15 Distribution of Households by Age of Householder and Household Type, 2007
6.16 Number of Households by Type, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2007
6.17 Distribution of Households by Household Type, Race, and Hispanic Origin of Householder, 2007
6.18 Distribution of Households by Race and Hispanic Origin of Householder and Household Type, 2007
6.19 Households by Age of Householder, Type of Household, and Presence of Children, 2007
6.20 Married Couples by Age of Householder and Age of Children, 2007
6.21 Female-Headed Families by Age of Householder and Age of Children, 2007
6.22 Stay-at-Home Parents among Married Couples, 2007
6.23 Families by Educational Attainment of Householder and Presence of Children, 2007
6.24 Age Difference between Husbands and Wives, 2007
6.25 Race and Hispanic Origin Differences between Husband and Wife, 2007
6.26 Educational Difference between Husbands and Wives, 2007
6.27 Women in Opposite-Sex Unmarried-Partner Households by Age, 2007

Chapter 7. Population
7.1 Females by Age, 2000 to 2020
7.2 Female Share of the Population by Age, 2007
7.3 Females by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2000 to 2020
7.4 Female Share of the Population by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2007
7.5 Females by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2007
7.6 Female Share of the American Indian Population by Age, 2007
7.7 Female Share of the Asian Population by Age, 2007
7.8 Female Share of the Black Population by Age, 2007
7.9 Female Share of the Hispanic Population by Age, 2007
7.10 Female Share of the Native Hawaiian Population by Age, 2007
7.11 Female Share of the Non-Hispanic White Population by Age, 2007
7.12 Females by Region, 2000 and 2007
7.13 Females by State, 2000 and 2007
7.14 Female Share of the Total Population by State, 2007
7.15 Geographical Mobility of Females by Relationship to Householder and Age, 2006–07
7.16 Geographical Mobility of Females by Age and Type of Move, 2006–07
7.17 Geographical Mobility of Females by Reason for Move, 2006–07
7.18 Foreign-Born Females by Place of Birth and Year of Entry, 2007
7.19 Foreign-Born Females by Age and Region of Residence, 2007
7.20 Legal Immigrants by Age and Sex, 2007

Chapter 8. Spending
8.1 Average Spending by Household Type, 2006
8.2 Indexed Spending of Married-Couple and Single-Parent Households, 2006
8.3 Market Shares of Married-Couple and Single-Parent Households, 2006
8.4 Average Spending of Single-Person Households Headed by Women, by Age, 2005–06
8.5 Indexed Spending of Single-Person Households Headed by Women, by Age, 2005–06
8.6 Market Share of Spending Accounted for by Women Who Live Alone, 2005–06

Chapter 9. Time Use
9.1 Women’s Time Use and Percent Reporting Activity, 2007
9.2 Women’s Time Use by Age, 2007
9.3 Average Hours Per Day Married Mothers Spend in Primary Activity by Employment Status and Age of Children, 2003–06
9.4 Percent of Married Mothers Participating in Primary Activity on an Average Day by Emplyment Status and Age of Children, 2003–06
9.5 Average Hours Per Day Spent in Primary Activity by Dual-Income Couples with Children, 2003–06
9.6 Percent of Married Parents in Dual-Income Couples Participating in Primary Activity on an Average Day, 2003–06
9.7 Time Spent Caring for Household Children as a Primary Activity by Sex, 2007
9.8 Time Spent Caring for Household Children as a Secondary Activity by Sex, 2007
9.9 Women’s Leisure Time Use on Weekdays versus Weekends, 2007
9.10 Online Activities Ever Done, 2008
9.11 Online Activities Yesterday, 2008
9.12 Volunteering among Women by Age, 2007
9.13 Female Share of Religious Groups, 2001
9.14 Sports Participation among Females Aged 7 or Older, 2007

Chapter 10. Wealth
10.1 Net Worth of Households, 2001 and 2004
10.2 Ownership and Median Value of Financial Assets, 2001 and 2004
10.3 Percent of Households Owning Financial Assets by Type of Asset, 2004
10.4 Median Value of Financial Assets by Type of Asset, 2004
10.5 Ownership and Value of Nonfinancial Assets, 2001 and 2004
10.6 Percent of Households Owning Nonfinancial Assets by Type of Asset, 2004
10.7 Median Value of Nonfinancial Assets by Type of Asset, 2004
10.8 Debt of Households, 2001 and 2004
10.9 Percent of Households with Debt, 2004
10.10 Median Value of Debt Owed by Households, 2004
10.11 Female Homeowners by Household Type and Age of Householder, 2007
10.12 Ownership of IRAs and 401(k)s by Sex, 2004
10.13 Participation in IRAs and 401(k)s, 2004
10.14 Retirement Planning by Sex of Worker, 2008
10.15 Expected Age of Retirement by Sex, 2008

List of Charts

Chapter 1. Attitudes
Few young women trust others
Younger women are not as satisfied with their finances
Women are more tolerant of homosexuality than men
Middle-aged women are least likely to say their marriage is very happy
Most older women think science makes our way of life change too fast
Media preferences differ starkly by age
Women are less interested than men in politics
Middle-aged women are most likely to think the government can detain people without a trial
Older women are more likely than younger women to own a gun
The majority of both women and men favor capital punishment

Chapter 2. Education
Women are much better educated today than in 1950
Young women are much better educated than their grandmothers
Seven percent of women have a master’s degree
Hispanic women are least likely to have a college degree
Among women aged 18 or older, many are in school
Nearly 10 million women are enrolled in college
Most female college students are under age 25
Non-Hispanic whites account for only two-thirds of female college students
Most younger women who attend four-year colleges are full-time students
Regardless of race, most women who attend a four-year college are full-time students
Family and financial security are the top two objectives of college freshmen
Among college freshmen, most men and women say they are above average
Women’s share of bachelor’s degrees varies by race and Hispanic origin
Women earn most foreign language degrees
Women earn the majority of some first-professional degrees
Work-related courses attract both women and men

Chapter 3. Health
Weight problems among women rise with age
Females account for most cosmetic surgeries and procedures
Nearly two-thirds of women have never smoked cigarettes
High blood pressure is the norm among women aged 55 or older
Most American women are using contraception
The abortion rate is much higher for unmarried women
One in five women aged 40 to 44 is childless
Few babies are born to women aged 35 or older
Births to Hispanics greatly outnumber births to blacks
Most black children are born to unmarried mothers
Among older mothers, Caesareans are common
Only 9 percent of women have purchased their own private health insurance
Lower back pain is the most common problem among women
Females are the majority of patients in the doctor’s office
Most women aged 65 or older have taken three or more prescription drugs during the past month
Females account for most hospital outpatients and inpatients
Eighty-two percent of the oldest nursing home residents are women
Females live longer than males

Chapter 4. Income
Women’s median income grew 35 percent between 1990 and 2007
The incomes of women aged 55 to 64 grew the most
Women in every racial and ethnic group have made income gains
Women in the Midwest experienced the slowest income growth
Women’s income peaks in middle age
Black women have higher incomes than Hispanic women
Women’s incomes are growing, while men’s are declining
The more education, the higher the earnings
There is a big gap between the top- and bottom-earning women
Married couples are the most affluent household type
Single-earner couples make much less
Nearly half of female-headed families have incomes below $30,000
Incomes peak in middle age for women living alone
Poverty rates are down for female-headed families with children

Chapter 5. Labor Force
Women’s labor force participation rate increased only in the older age groups
At least seven out of ten women aged 20 to 54 are in the labor force
More than 60 percent of black women are in the labor force
Teenagers are least likely to work full-time
Most married couples with children are dual earners
About one in five couples has only the husband in the labor force
Job tenure rises with age
Professional women still cluster in certain occupations
Women dominate the education and health services industries
Among self-employed women, most are aged 35 to 54
Nearly 6 million women have alternative work arrangements
Union representation peaks at 17 percent among women aged 55 to 64
Women will account for nearly half of new workers
Fewer younger women will be in the labor force

Chapter 6. Living Arrangements
More than one in four women have not yet married
Most Asian and non-Hispanic white women are married
Divorce is less common among older women
Most children still live in two-parent families
Most women are household heads
Most women who live alone are older
Among households headed by women, married couples grew the slowest
Households of the young differ from those of middle-aged and older adults
Nuclear families are most common among Hispanics
Most female-headed families have children at home
Many older couples have children at home
College experience is the norm for married couples
Most husbands and wives share the same educational level
Many women in their twenties are unmarried partners

Chapter 7. Population
The number of people in their sixties will grow rapidly during the next few years
Females outnumber males by more than 4 million
Asians are greatly outnumbered by blacks and Hispanics
Only 5 percent of American females are Asian
Young girls are much more diverse than older women
The South is home to the largest share of females
Few moves are out-of-state
The foreign-born account for a large share of females in the West
More than 500,000 females immigrated to the United States in 2007

Chapter 8. Spending
Married couples without children at home spend less than those with children
Among women living alone, those aged 35 to 44 spend the most

Chapter 9. Time Use
The average woman spends slightly less than one hour a day shopping
Time spent caring for other household members peaks among women aged 25 to 44
Women’s leisure time varies by employment and parenting status
Mothers spend much more time than fathers taking care of preschoolers
Women spend 20 percent more time watching TV on weekends
Many people get news online
Volunteering is lowest among young women
Women account for a minority of people who say they have no religion
Female participation is about equal to that of males in many formerly male-dominated sports

Chapter 10. Wealth
The youngest householders have little wealth
Fewer than half of households own retirement accounts
Home values typically peak in middle age
The amount of money owed by households declines after middle age
Most women who live alone are homeowners
Most working women do not have an IRA or 401(k)
Few women will opt for early retirement

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