Many of the industries that have been hardest hit by the economic crisis are male dominated. Construction and manufacturing are two prime examples.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 247,000 jobs were lost in the US during July, including 76,000 construction and 52,000 manufacturing jobs.
The male unemployment rate is now 9.8%, while the female rate is 7.5% in the US. This trend is also seen in parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark.
As some male dominated industries lose jobs, some female dominated industries have gained jobs. In the health care industry, 81% of the workers are female. During July, 20,000 jobs were gained in this industry.
Even Obama’s stimulus package didn’t excessively benefit one gender over the other compared to the New Deal. Although there were some funds dedicated to infrastructure, there was also funds for education and health care.
The long-term implications of this trend are difficult to determine. How do you think this will impact society and culture? Do you think the impact will be short lived to matter in the long run?