Why men struggle in changing economy as women rise in workforce on International Women's Day

The current moment is a strange time. Objectively, the economy is doing well, but inflation and the uneven nature of the job market create a feeling of restlessness. I feel it profoundly. In addition to the economic forces pulling on society, we are also seeing a change in the workforce. Today, on International Women's Day, I want to discuss that change.

It is not a secret that the world has changed significantly in the last fifty years. Before Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a millennial meme known as Notorious RGB, she was a hard-working attorney arguing for equal rights before the Supreme Court. Women participated in the workforce at a rate of 50%; today, that figure is 75% for the first time in American history. The increase in workforce participation also mirrors the increase in women's educational attainment, with more college and graduate degrees going to women than men.

It means that men are beginning to fall behind despite their structural cultural advantages. The situation is even worse for young men who do not have college degrees because they get married at lower rates, make less money, and have lower life expectancy.

The more reactionary among us would blame feminism and liberal attitudes toward gender for this change. We should have a more nuanced view of what is happening. First, the number of careers in goods has remained stable while the number of jobs in service industries has increased, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Next, manufacturing is becoming global, shifting geographically depending on environmental and labor regulations. Finally, we see an increasing demand for workers to maintain high skill levels and remain employed in a competitive economy. These factors disadvantage men.

At an early age, I was taught that men are responsible for providing for their families. During the 1960s and 1970s, a person could work in a factory or shop and earn enough money to provide for a family. As unions began to weaken with the Regan administration, those jobs became more scarce as they shifted from the United States to places like Mexico, China, and Vietnam. It forced wages down while at the same time limiting opportunities for people without degrees. Since the end of World War II, economic mobility began to experience limitations for the first time. Now, the path to economic security has traveled through a classroom and a possible job outside of goods.

It is the reality that I grew up in, and since receiving my college degree, I have had to switch careers thrice. First, I worked in media, then became part of the explosion in legal gambling in the 1990s, and finally, I settled into the technology profession. Not only did I need a college degree, but I also needed to retrain myself and adapt as market conditions changed. I am grateful for my liberal arts training because it helped me adjust to the current economy. Other men need more advantages and feel like running in place or falling behind.

The disparity in educational outcomes also creates problems when finding a spouse. Marriage rates in the Western World have declined over the last fifty years because, with higher education rates, people see marriage as a romantic and parenting partnership instead of a means of financial security. Many people put off marriage because they lack the economic security to support a family.

It creates a perverse situation in the dating market as women are seeking men with similar educational attainment and earning power. With the pool shrinking, it creates a situation entrepreneur and podcaster Scott Galloway calls Porsche polygamy, where the top 10% of men with income or attractiveness can have as many romantic partners as they can juggle while men outside the upper tier struggle. It also forces women to be more competitive for the limited number of possible fathers and husbands.

The current economic situation is a bitter pill for men without college degrees who were raised as family providers. It breeds frustration, helplessness, and impotence, which explains why life expectancy is declining for this demographic. A person who feels impotent or useless will numb those emotions with substances like alcohol or opiates, which are two major factors in declining life expectancy.

It is exhausting for both men and women to continue in this situation. While women navigate an increasingly competitive environment for career and family opportunities, men grapple with finding purpose, meaning, and companionship. I am not even including the disparities that take place when women decide to have families and the lack of support American society provides women who work.

Do we abandon the progress women have made in the last fifty years and start over? No, we must accommodate the challenges men and women face in this economy. We must pay attention to glass ceilings and cliffs, which professional women face daily. We must try to improve access to trade education so men who do not want to go to college can find work that provides a living wage. It is also imperative that unions behave as enablers of social mobility rather than a gatekeeper. Women should have more opportunities to advance in organizations, and mediocre men should not use childcare responsibilities to stunt the advancement of their female colleagues. People should have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling careers without sacrificing personal relationships.

International Women's Day made me reflect on these trends, and during my career, I have benefitted from the wisdom of the leadership of plenty of women in business. I also believe that more men could benefit from that perspective as well. Fortunately, the Agile Reformation has plenty of women leading the way and making a difference daily.

There are still tremendous gaps between women and men in the business world, but we need to acknowledge that we are making progress, and men are beginning to struggle with that advancement. We can do two things at once and help each other succeed. The future of business and our culture depends on it.

Until next time.