The new skills needed for the modern workplace lend themselves to stereotypical female characteristics. Therefore, we see a rise in women not only infiltrating the workplace, but often dominating it. Women are getting more educated and so are entering the workforce at the top. Where we once saw a male dominated workforce, we are now seeing the opposite. Not only in the workplace but in education as well. Girls are beginning to outperform boys, especially at the elementary level.

Women have adjusted and transformed from nurturers to professionals in the workplace. If they choose to have children, they may delay this in order to pursue their education and/or career. However, men seem to not have made this adjustment yet. They sometimes delay getting  a degree as they feel that they can not go back to college because they have to provide for their family. Whereas women have disregarded their stereotypical roles (such as home maker) in order to pursue higher education and a meaningful career.

It was interesting to me that some of the girls at Kansas City College were confidently sharing that they expected to be the breadwinners in their homes. These young women understood their earning potential compared to their male counterparts. Some statistics were shared regarding single, childless women, that they earned more than young men. However, it is true that by a certain age, men are still higher earners and more likely to be promoted. This would suggest to me that whilst females outperform males in school, college and the entry level workforce, things change once they choose to have a family. This is the opportunity for men to swoop back in and reclaim their place at the top of the workforce. It would seem then that the workforce/ earning pendulum continues to swing, sometimes favoring men, sometimes favoring women. So how can we as educators help the younger generations find the perfect balance? Is there such a thing as the perfect balance?