As far back as 1969, academic women who never married earned more than academic men who never married. A study from 2005 showed that among college-educated, never-married individuals with no children who worked full-time and were from 40 to 64 years old—that is, beyond the child-bearing years—men averaged $40,000 a year in income, while women averaged $47,000. The most important reason why women earn less than men is not that they are paid less for doing the very same work but that they are distributed differently among jobs and have fewer hours and less continuity in the labor force. —Thomas Sowell
As far back as 1969, academic women who never married earned more than academic men who never married. A study from 2005 showed that among college-educated, never-married individuals with no children who worked full-time and were from 40 to 64 years old—that is, beyond the child-bearing years—men averaged $40,000 a year in income, while women averaged $47,000. The most important reason why women earn less than men is not that they are paid less for doing the very same work but that they are distributed differently among jobs and have fewer hours and less continuity in the labor force. —Thomas Sowell
Although physical strength is no longer as major a factor as it once was, there are still particular industries today where considerable physical strength remains a requirement. —Thomas Sowell
Although physical strength is no longer as major a factor as it once was, there are still particular industries today where considerable physical strength remains a requirement. While women have been 74% that are classified as “clerical and kindred workers,” they have been:
Less than 5% of transport equipment operatives.
Less than 4% of extraction and maintenance workers.
Less than 3% of construction workers or loggers.
Less than 2% of roofers or masons.
Less than 1% of mechanics and technicians who service heavy vehicles and mobile equipment.
Such occupational distributions have obvious economic implications, since miners earn nearly double the income of office clerks. There is a premium paid for workers doing hazardous work, which often overlaps work requiring physical strength. While men are 54% of the labor force, they are 92% of the job-related deaths.
Although physical strength is no longer as major a factor as it once was, there are still particular industries today where considerable physical strength remains a requirement. While women have been 74% that are classified as “clerical and kindred workers,” they have been:
Less than 5% of transport equipment operatives.
Less than 4% of extraction and maintenance workers.
Less than 3% of construction workers or loggers.
Less than 2% of roofers or masons.
Less than 1% of mechanics and technicians who service heavy vehicles and mobile equipment.
Such occupational distributions have obvious economic implications, since miners earn nearly double the income of office clerks. There is a premium paid for workers doing hazardous work, which often overlaps work requiring physical strength. While men are 54% of the labor force, they are 92% of the job-related deaths.
San Francisco Bay Area has one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. However, as recently as 1970, Bay Area housing was affordable. Data from the 1970 census shows that a Bay Area family could dedicate 25% to housing and pay off their mortgage in just 13 years. By 1980, a family had to spend 40% of their income to pay off a home mortgage in 30 years; today, it requires 50%. It is precisely government intervention in housing markets which has made previously affordable housing unaffordable. Both the history and the economics of housing show this. —Thomas Sowell
San Francisco Bay Area has one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. However, as recently as 1970, Bay Area housing was affordable. Data from the 1970 census shows that a Bay Area family could dedicate 25% to housing and pay off their mortgage in just 13 years. By 1980, a family had to spend 40% of their income to pay off a home mortgage in 30 years; today, it requires 50%. It is precisely government intervention in housing markets which has made previously affordable housing unaffordable. Both the history and the economics of housing show this. —Thomas Sowell
