Rosalind Evans
In today’s world, women have made incredible strides in education and the workplace, achieving near parity with men in many aspects. Federal Reserve data shows that women between the ages of 20 and 24 now account for about 50% of total employment, matching their male counterparts. However, as women progress into their late twenties, societal pressures related to marriage and children tend to alter their career trajectories, a phenomenon that persists despite advancements.
As Teresa Ghilarducci, an economics professor at The New School for Social Research, explains, “Women have achieved parity in the workplace, but not full equality.”
The Pressure to ‘Have It All’
Women, particularly millennials and Gen Z, face growing pressure to balance their careers and personal lives. Pop culture vividly depicts this pressure, including music and viral social media trends. Taylor Swift’s lyric, “I cry a lot, but I am so productive, it’s an art,” from her song *I Can Do It With a Broken Heart* resonated deeply with many women. The song has been featured in over 180,000 TikTok videos, capturing many women’s frustration in their attempts to juggle multiple roles.
“It resonates with both millennials and Gen Zers,” says a social media trend forecaster Casey Lewis. “It indicates that Gen Z is feeling the same ‘girl-boss’ pressures that millennials famously grew up with.”
Another song that caught attention this year is Megan Boni’s viral hit, “I’m Looking for a Man in Finance, Trust Fund, 6′5″, Blue Eyes…” While intended as a light-hearted commentary on dating expectations, it underscores single women’s challenges in meeting societal ideals.
The Rise of the Tradwife Trend
Amid these pressures, some women are opting to step out of the traditional workforce in favor of embracing domesticity, a trend known as “tradwife.” This viral movement portrays women adhering to traditional gender roles, focusing on homemaking rather than climbing the corporate ladder. According to Casey Lewis, young women choose to become tradwives as “an excuse to step back and do less” professionally, allowing them to prioritize family and home life.
However, this doesn’t mean women are doing less overall. Research shows that women still shoulder more domestic responsibilities than men, regardless of whether they work outside the home. As Richard Fry, a senior researcher at Pew, points out, the lack of affordable childcare is a significant factor, stating, “The childcare crisis, which was simmering before the pandemic, has come to a boil.”
The Male Perspective: Workforce Disengagement
Interestingly, while women are facing mounting pressures, men are exiting the workforce at alarming rates, particularly those between the ages of 25 and 54. A Pew Research study revealed that non-college-educated men leave the workforce at higher rates than their college-educated peers. The decline of manufacturing jobs and the rise of NEETs (neither in employment, education, or training) highlight a growing trend among younger men who struggle to find their place in today’s economy.
Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter, reflects on the portrayal of this phenomenon in last summer’s blockbuster movie, *Barbie*. “Ken is a young man in America who just has no place and no role,” she says, capturing many men’s frustration.
The Earnings Gap: Still Present
Despite the shifts in workforce participation, men continue to outpace women in other areas. Actual median earnings for full-time male workers increased by 3%, while women saw only a 1.5% rise. Furthermore, societal expectations continue to weigh heavily on women, with 37% reporting that they need to prioritize their partner’s career over their own, according to Deloitte’s 2024 Women at Work report.
While women have made tremendous progress in their careers, the journey toward true equality remains complex. From viral pop culture moments to workplace statistics, many women’s frustrations with societal expectations continue to ripple through their lives. As Teresa Ghilarducci noted, women may have achieved parity but “not full equality.” Achieving this balance, both at work and home will require ongoing effort and societal change.
