The Future Is Female! Now What?

As echo chambers and identity politics continue to fracture society, another division among social groups will only widen the cracks in our weakened cultural foundations. Statistical research by political scientists points to a strong correlation among political identity, educational achievement and gender identity. If one gender group consistently outnumbers the other in higher education, the polarization of American society will worsen.

Many Americans view higher education and partisanship as linked, with data reflecting liberal leanings among faculty and students. Gender also has a partisan split, with men tending to adopt more conservative positions than women. If women enter the university at higher rates than men, men’s political ideology will separate even further from women’s.

Postsecondary education facilitates access to teachers and ideas that expand a student’s capacity to understand other perspectives. Students learn thoughtful debate, critical consumption of information and political awareness. This all helps sustain democracy. Our nation cannot afford for its universities to leave our men behind.

—Sarah Solomon, Georgetown University, public policy

Careers Still Lagging Behind

In the U.K, women have made up the majority of undergraduate students for more than a decade. One would expect this to translate to women accessing higher-paying careers in greater numbers, closing the gender-pay gap.

But that has not been the case. In fact, the gender pay gap has barely moved in the U.K., and women are often underrepresented in certain high-paying graduate careers such as finance, law and consulting.

The increasing number of female undergraduates can be a good thing, but if this doesn’t lead to a proportional increase in high-paying careers for women—in both the U.K. and U.S.—then something is wrong with the university system.

—Calum Paton, BPP University, law

We’re Not Seeing It in STEM

The increase of women in high-level academia is good for the educational community and our society as a whole. In 2021, the percentage of women in CEO positions globally was a mere 5.5%.

In STEM fields, however, this number hovers around 3%, according to a 2019 study. To climb the corporate ladder, women need an advanced understanding of their fields, especially in STEM careers. Having more women in these fields not only lowers existing barriers, it also empowers other women to follow their example, creating an even more inclusive academia.

—Virginia Hunt, Northwestern University, journalism and biology

Focus on Family

The declining proportion of men earning bachelor’s degrees is indicative of two broader, more troubling trends: The rise of disaffected young men and the decline of the American family.

Traditionally, young men followed a conventional path. They married young and provided for their family. Some men achieved this through higher education, but the vast majority went to community colleges, worked blue-collar jobs or started small businesses. Community ties were strong, and life was meaningful. With the decline of the family, many men have lost their way, with the male suicide rate reaching its highest rate ever in 2021.

Women deserve equal opportunities to pursue professional excellence. But for most women (and most men), a career is a secondary aspect of life, with most meaning coming from family, community and close friendships. Women need men to succeed, marry them, and help them with both career and family.

—Anika Horowitz, University of Wisconsin, Madison, economics

Click here to submit a response to next week’s Future View.