Women Dominating College Graduation Rates
The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do. --- B.F. Skinner
At the time Skinner made that observation his use of the word “men” was generic for both sexes. Today, it literally means men. Women now comprise two-thirds of all college graduates. Girls dominate standardized test results such as reading comprehension and math proficiency. And at the University of California higher education system, professional preparation has seen a drop in male enrollments since 1976. For example, medicine dropped from 78 to 47 percent, law from 64 to 44 percent and veterinary medicine from 72 to 23 percent.
Experts have many reasons why women are doing so much better than men in school at any age. I believe that the expectations placed on women and girls are higher by both parents and teachers than the expectations for boys and men. Beyond sports, I don’t think many parents expect much from their sons beyond sports and related male behaviors. (I know; a broad generalization but how else do you explain a 33 percent college graduation rate?).
Another consideration is the abrupt overhaul of the US economy. Boys would graduate from high school and find high paying manufacturing or agricultural jobs that would provide long term financial security. Today, over 90 percent of the available jobs are in the service industry and many of those jobs require a college degree. Plus, the prospect of long term employment has nearly evaporated. It may take another generation or two before boys and their parents realize the importance of education and apply discipline and focus to the same degree as girls.
From a sociological standpoint, are women ready to assume the role of head of household or the primary provider? There has been some indications that women actually discriminate against men who do not produce at least as much income as they can. Women may “pick up” a good looking and fit male who is under-employed but they have no intentions of a long term relationship. An interesting role reversal for dating that will have more men experiencing the “cruelties of romance.” This is an area of social reform for educators to watch and discuss.
In summary, change in the domination of graduation rates for women over men will occur when parents get involved. This is not to say that women will be less successful. Men will eventually catch up and attempt to create a balance.
Did you know that the ratio of twin deliveries (per 100 births) has increased from 29 to 32 percent since 1999? You are not seeing double because of bad vision; there are more twins!
At the time Skinner made that observation his use of the word “men” was generic for both sexes. Today, it literally means men. Women now comprise two-thirds of all college graduates. Girls dominate standardized test results such as reading comprehension and math proficiency. And at the University of California higher education system, professional preparation has seen a drop in male enrollments since 1976. For example, medicine dropped from 78 to 47 percent, law from 64 to 44 percent and veterinary medicine from 72 to 23 percent.
Experts have many reasons why women are doing so much better than men in school at any age. I believe that the expectations placed on women and girls are higher by both parents and teachers than the expectations for boys and men. Beyond sports, I don’t think many parents expect much from their sons beyond sports and related male behaviors. (I know; a broad generalization but how else do you explain a 33 percent college graduation rate?).
Another consideration is the abrupt overhaul of the US economy. Boys would graduate from high school and find high paying manufacturing or agricultural jobs that would provide long term financial security. Today, over 90 percent of the available jobs are in the service industry and many of those jobs require a college degree. Plus, the prospect of long term employment has nearly evaporated. It may take another generation or two before boys and their parents realize the importance of education and apply discipline and focus to the same degree as girls.
From a sociological standpoint, are women ready to assume the role of head of household or the primary provider? There has been some indications that women actually discriminate against men who do not produce at least as much income as they can. Women may “pick up” a good looking and fit male who is under-employed but they have no intentions of a long term relationship. An interesting role reversal for dating that will have more men experiencing the “cruelties of romance.” This is an area of social reform for educators to watch and discuss.
In summary, change in the domination of graduation rates for women over men will occur when parents get involved. This is not to say that women will be less successful. Men will eventually catch up and attempt to create a balance.
Did you know that the ratio of twin deliveries (per 100 births) has increased from 29 to 32 percent since 1999? You are not seeing double because of bad vision; there are more twins!
CEOs Abandoning Companies
Either these people are getting paid too much or the job is getting too tough. Regardless of the reason, CEOs are departing companies at a record shattering pace and could exceed 1500 leaving before the end of the year (over 1300 quit in 2005). On average, 6 CEOs quit every day despite the pay, perks and benefits.
Since 1990, the average salary for employees in the US when adjusted for inflation is $27,000. During the same time frame, CEOs’ average pay has risen from $2.8 million to over $11 million. The CEOs of the top 350 major US companies are paid $4.1 billion, an increase of 23 percent since 2004. Salary, perks and benefits tower over the average employee and the discrepancies are more than in every other industrialized nation.
The real problem for companies is finding quality leaders. Many CEOs are hired because of some instance of his or her past history that leads the search committee to believe the person is magical and can turn around a company. Unfortunately, these retreads cannot reproduce the magic. Instead of using his or her experience to develop a group of internal managers to be leaders, they tend to run a company further into financial trouble.
This persona of a hero riding into town to save the day can be called the John Wayne Syndrome. No offense to the actor who dominated the movie industry for so many years; it’s more of a reference to the characters of his movies. The townspeople would live in fear of the local bad guy until the “big guy” rides into town, engages in a few skirmishes and finally wins in the big showdown. Who doesn’t like the traditional good over evil story?
But business isn’t about good and evil; it’s about people and products. Until companies make the commitment to leadership and excellence, they’ll still be out there looking for the “white hat cowboy.”
Since 1990, the average salary for employees in the US when adjusted for inflation is $27,000. During the same time frame, CEOs’ average pay has risen from $2.8 million to over $11 million. The CEOs of the top 350 major US companies are paid $4.1 billion, an increase of 23 percent since 2004. Salary, perks and benefits tower over the average employee and the discrepancies are more than in every other industrialized nation.
The real problem for companies is finding quality leaders. Many CEOs are hired because of some instance of his or her past history that leads the search committee to believe the person is magical and can turn around a company. Unfortunately, these retreads cannot reproduce the magic. Instead of using his or her experience to develop a group of internal managers to be leaders, they tend to run a company further into financial trouble.
This persona of a hero riding into town to save the day can be called the John Wayne Syndrome. No offense to the actor who dominated the movie industry for so many years; it’s more of a reference to the characters of his movies. The townspeople would live in fear of the local bad guy until the “big guy” rides into town, engages in a few skirmishes and finally wins in the big showdown. Who doesn’t like the traditional good over evil story?
But business isn’t about good and evil; it’s about people and products. Until companies make the commitment to leadership and excellence, they’ll still be out there looking for the “white hat cowboy.”
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