<p>Does the fact that more girls than boys are graduating (with greater gender imbalance to follow) imply that women will become the predominant bread-winners in families of the future? Does this mean that there will be even more single-parent households? </p>
<p>Given the cost of college education & the proliferation of student loans, can we conclude that the stay-at-home mom will become an even more “rare breed”?</p>
<p>Hey, I’m all for “equality” (even tho’ women USED to be superior!), equal pay for equal work & all that, but the idea that boys are becoming such a minority at colleges & universities, seems to signal a great “cultural shift” to come…</p>
<p>Colleges may have kinder, gentler campuses when the ranks of those eligible to join sexist/racist fraternities thin out (I’m sure all the frat brothers on CC belong to the nice fraternities).</p>
<p>bz~ i’d say yes to all your questions. there have been TV documentaries on the (down the road) challenges for MEN to find the girls of their dreams. it discussed the trend where women, in general are becoming the larger educated group, with less of a need for marriage. those who do marry(still the majority) will clearly look for their academic peers in their choices. on a practical note, this is why it’s getting harder and harder for non-minority females to get into their top colleges. especially those educated in the mid-atlantic and part of northeast states.</p>
<p>Some men choose not to go to college because there are many well paying jobs out there that are dominated by males that don’t require college degrees. Generally, women have to get a degree to avoid the pink collar life.</p>
Here we go again…Yet another fraternity/male bashing thread. You might want to consider that some of us have sons – sons that we have raised to be respectful, courteous, kind and all those other good attributes.</p>
<p>Ugg. Please let’s don’t start this. It’s getting old and the argument is the same, over and over. There are good men in fraternities; there are bad men in fraternities. Same goes for sorority ladies. As far as exclusion, racism, or buying into a group- Elks clubs, the Junior League, Knights of Columbus, Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, and the Mormon priesthoods, to name a few, might be considered in one or more of those categories by some. Live and let live. Why the hate?</p>
<p>In our extended family I know of several couples where the female has more education than the male. Two of these females have 4 year degrees. Both of them work due to strained finances and have sitters. No one in the family thinks this is odd…</p>
<p>i love the various twists and turns threads take! i want to say 2 things…1) i totally ignored the frat-bash stuff, and am very interested in what i THOUGHT the focus of this thread is…women as the majority in college, and 2) i not only don’t see this as odd, BUT THE NORM for my family! for us, women going back a few generations have and continue to be extremely well- educated (as are their mates) and see child-rearing as only one of MANY wonderful things they do!</p>
<p>treetopleaf - thank you for getting this thread back on track.</p>
<p>For me, a traditionalist, it is disheartening to see anything that steers away from the “traditional family”. I understand that this isn’t applicable to every situation across the board - and I’m not making any judgements - but it seems many people makes CHOICES to go another way.</p>
<p>< Cue the “Fiddler on the Roof” music > “Tra-di-tion!”</p>
<p>Anyway, I have a degree from a top-twenty school, but I chose to stay at home to raise the family - and believe me, it was NOT because my husband earned some astronomical amount - it was a matter of priorities. We forewent some of the material stuff in order to “be there” for the kids. (It IS a matter of QUANTITY, not just QUALITY). And now that they are beginning to “leave the nest” I’m SO glad we made that decision. The statistics shown above seem to suggest that this avenue is one that fewer and fewer women might choose. That is sad.</p>
<p>bz, I did the same thing. At the time, my friends were horrified. I went through a sort of tough period redefining myself, in my own mind. I ended up going into private teaching (piano) and accompanying, which doesn’t pay nearly what I’d be making if I continued working full time (I was in a business field), but doesn’t take up nearly the time either. I never felt judgemental toward women who chose to work- if anything I was insecure in myself for “quitting”. My actual degree was in business, from a top ten business program, so I imagine I really “wasted” that one.</p>
<p>Education is never wasted, doubleplay! I’m sure the knowledge, critical thinking skills & insight you gained as an “educated woman” translated into the well-being of your kids. The way I rationalized it at the time I made the decision to be home w/ the boys was that there was no job in the world (even POTUS!) that is as important as raising productive members of society who feel valued by their family. (Of course I also had the fear that I could do everything possible - devote my life to them even - and they could still become ax-murderers! Then, I rationalized (I’m good at that!) that if they did turn out poorly, I would at least know that I did everything possible to give them a strong foundation, good values, a positive outlook & a promising future. I figured I had accepted the role of “Mother” by having the kids - I should at least participate 100%!</p>
<p>And as I mentioned previously, now that they are beginning to leave the nest, I’m SO thankful for EVERY single extra minute I got to spend with them! It goes by so fast!</p>
<p>You made the right decision! (Shows how smart you were/are!). Remember those old EQ tests? (One marshmallow now or 3 later? You get the 3 later -and more!).</p>
<p>These stats certainly give pause to anyone with a daughter in this demographic. If it becomes more difficult to meet and marry someone with an equivalent educational background, there’s no doubt that there will be some significant cultural and economic consequences down the road. The difference was actually pretty noticeable on the majority of college campuses we toured. At one LAC, we ran into the son of a neighbor. When we asked him how he liked the social life his answer was “Great - I’m a guy!”</p>
<p>Well, I continued to work and H gave up his position to stay home with the kids full time. Now he works out of the house via computer. We wanted one parent at home. It did not seem to make any difference that H was home and W was working. At the time it was nontraditional. I think that the woman does not always have to be the one who gives up a profession and stays home. I am sorry that women and men who make this role reversal causes some of you to be “sad” or others to disapprove. It worked for us. And we had a full time parent in the home. And H did it voluntarily. And so far we turned out two fine young women. </p>
<p>My husband has a 4 yr degree, I have an MD. I had no problem finding happiness and fulfillment “marrying down” as it is implied that women will have to do. I did not think of it that way then, and I do not think of it that way now. And my daughters are looking to acheive a place in life where they will be able to support themselves…or maybe be able to choose not to. They will have a choice. But they will be able to attend a college or U where they will not HAVE to find a spouse that will have as much or more education than they to do be happy.</p>
<p>SF - The “sad” part is when kids are taken to a day-care to be raised by a non-family member & both children and parents miss out on the time together. Your scenario isn’t sad - I think it’s great when dads can stay home… </p>
<p>BUT, I’m also an advocate of breast-feeding - that takes a lot more effort when it’s the dad at home instead of the mom (yes, I’m referring to “pumping” - I don’t think all the “effort” in the world would help dads perform that task!). :)</p>
<p>"BUT, I’m also an advocate of breast-feeding - that takes a lot more effort when it’s the dad at home instead of the mom (yes, I’m referring to “pumping” - I don’t think all the “effort” in the world would help dads perform that task!). "</p>
<p>I nursed my last two babies for 15 and 28 months, respectively, while working full-time from ten weeks on and dad was caring for them. It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but is the accomplishment I’m most proud of in my life. I’m a huge proponent of breastfeeding and consider it my mission to help moms who have to work to find a way to work and nurse. For the record: I would never have chosen to be a working mom that early and I’ve never been ok about that. But what can you do?</p>
<p>My husband and I decided when #1 was born that one of us should be at home and I was so pleased to have that role. We gave up a lot, but we are frugal by nature, and never really missed the 2-1/2 baths or the other trappings of the current age. I nursed my babies, even my twins, till they were 2+, and decided to give up the breast on their own.</p>
<p>When we decided to homeschool the kids, I was even happier because it meant I could stay home even longer. </p>
<p>I feel badly for boys growing up now, especially those in public school. It seems that they are told every day that their natural inclinations are beaten down. I felt strongly that boys under age 10 or 12 should be spending the vast majority of every day outside, using all their large muscle groups, so that is what my kids did, every day. We didn’t neglect academics (well, maybe spelling), but they were not a primary focus for my children until about the 5th grade level. Now at college age, they are serious students, not alcoholics, not partiers. Hard workers who love their lives. I’m very pleased.</p>