The Declining Demand for Men

Nancy Folbre, economics professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst, recently posted an article in the New York Times titled "The Declining Demand for Men". I just know there were a few women who smiled when they saw that title.

The article reflected on the fact that we are seeing a downturn in traditional male jobs and an increase in jobs traditionally held by women. Manufacturing jobs are declining and health and education jobs are increasing. Dr. Folbre calls it "the feminization of employment.

Further, she raises the question, why don't men simply move into women's jobs?

Conventional gender roles influence employers, consumers and men themselves. She references the book "Occupational Ghettos" that identifies "gender segregation as remarkably persistent and complex phenomenon shaped by deep cultural beliefs."

Also, Dr. Folbre points out, the fact that traditional women's jobs typically pay less for the same credentials discourages men from entering those professions.

The big question is - is employment a competition between men and women? Should we celebrate one gender's benefit over the other's? Or should our goal be full employment for everyone who needs and wants to work?

For one thing this makes a compelling case for men to work for equal pay for women. If these jobs are our future then don't we want them to have pay equity with the jobs we have traditionally had?

Will we change deep cultural beliefs about "women's jobs" that have been held for generations. Definitely not overnight. But when change comes it will come through respect and recognition that individuals, not men and not women, bring unique gifts to the work they do. It is valuing those unique, individual gifts that will ensure a brighter future for us all.