Today's girls in tomorrow's labor force: projecting their participation and occupations.

Abstract

Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate dramatic changes in female employment over the last 25 years. In July 1984, 44% of all American workers were women, compared with 30% in 1950. The proportion of women in the labor force rose from 34% in 1950 to 54% in 1984; male participation rate during the same period dropped from 86% to 78%. Between 1950 and 1977, the worklife expectancy of a 20-year-old woman jumped from 14.5 years to 26 years, while that of men declined from 41.4 years to 36.8 years. The greatest changes in female participation in the labor force occurred among women from 25 to 34 years old. In 1970, only 45% of this age group participated in the labor force; a moderate growth scenario projects that 80% of this group will be in the labor force in 1995. Gains for women in terms of higher paying employment and earnings have not been as rapid. Most women are still employed in low-paying occupations traditionally identified with women. While 20% of managerial and professional jobs are now occupied by women, more than 42.5% of all working women are employed in traditionally low-paying sales or clerical and administrative support occupations. Women are 2.5 to 3 times more likely than men to work part-time. The ratio of women's full-time median weekly earnings to men's stood at 66% in 1983, reflecting only a small gain over 62% in 1973. Occupational projections indicate that service-producing industries will account for 75% of all new jobs before 1995. Manufacturing industries will account for another 17%. Opportunities for women are open in these areas, but employment and salaries will depend on such factors as experience, ability, region, firm or industry, hours worked, and unionization.