Shriver Report Says "Battle of the Sexes Is Over"

Published October 19, 2009 @ 09:14AM PT

Is the battle of the sexes over?

According to a new report titled, "A Woman's Nation", the answer is: "Yes."

The report by Maria Shriver is being published in conjunction with the Center for American Progress and celebrates the fact that for the first time in United States history, women are about to become 50% of the workforce.

Shriver has recognized the statistic as a major shift that will "change everything" from how Americans do business, raise families and create policy. The report unabashedly says that "The battle of the sexes is over. Men and woman overwhelmingly agree on what they want in life, and how they view their roles in marriage, as parents, and in their jobs."

As we have covered before, the workforce statistic is a tricky subject. First off, as reported in the New York Times, this shift has been correlated with the recession. As more men lost jobs in the economic crisis compared with women, this statistic for women has unfortunately come at men's expense.

Additionally, women are still losing out even when they break through the 50% margin because women come cheap (77 cents to the man's dollar), they don't typically have the same salary demands as men (part-time) and they are likely to stay put in a low to mid-level positions for a long time without asking for more money. Additionally, women still do not make up a majority of the higher ranks of government, media or business. Therefore, while women are taking one giant step forward as a statistic, they may take several steps backs in terms of actual workplace equality and pay fairness.

While this report can help educate industry and government players on the changing family demands - we cannot draw a line in the sand that says, "the battle of the sexes is over" without realizing that in many cases that line is still very much blurred for women, and men, alike. Additionally, the report doesn't seem to make a lot of caveats for women of color, homosexual women or transgender women, which makes me curious to see where those women actually stand in this debate.

In my mind, the best use of this report is not for feminist activists to wave a white flag and say, "Our work is done here" but rather, I see it as a strategic tool for Democrats to take back the family values narrative from Republicans. Long gone are the days of the "compassionate conservative" and this report from Shriver and the Center for American Progress is one more way for the left to contribute to the GOP women's problem by standing up for families around the country.

Since Democrats tend to change the landscape the most when it comes to fair pay, maternity and paternity leave, lowering health care costs for women and promoting comprehensive sex education programs - it makes sense that the Center for American Progress also wants to be seen as the mascot for family rights, childcare programs, school year calendar reform and other challenges that come with a two-paycheck family household.

As Gloria Steinem wrote over at The Women's Media Center: "The good news is that The Shriver Report is useful, timely, enlightening and even enjoyable to read-an improvement over many such studies-and could inform discussions from the kitchen table to the halls of Congress. At a minimum, it should end forever the debate about women's place in the labor force; women are the labor force...The bad news is that by its title and promotion, this report risks portraying women's arrival at 50/50 as an irresistible force that by itself 'changes everything."

I couldn't agree with Steinem more. By saying the "battle of the sexes" is over, we may produce more ignorance than understanding if the catch phrase is all anyone takes away from this report, rather than implementing the change that is outlined in it and still has yet to come.

Photo Credit: Ken Wilcox. on Flickr

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Comments (13)

The "Battle of the sexes" seems to me to be a misnomer...

After all, not EVERY man is against women's rights or equality...

More to the truth I think is that its a battle between the old traditionalists that dont believe women are as worthy as men V'S Those of us, both women and men who know better.

Having said that...The battle clearly aint over yet.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/19/2009 @ 03:39PM PT
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I agree, even though women are 50% of the workforce we don't have equality. We still have some work to do !

Posted by Jay Pesan on 10/26/2009 @ 03:11PM PT
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This is a dilemma I constantly face in high school. I am accused of being an opponent of women's rights and my arguments are constantly derailed by statements like, "but you're a man, you can't understand what we're going through."

In a recent discussion, I was nearly convinced that being male is in fact a sin. But luckily, I realized that if I were to accept responsibility for the actions of every similar being before me, I'm in much greater trouble indeed.

I am a strong proponent of equality- in the work place, home, education systems, etc.- for all races, sexes, and religious affiliations. I therefore find it insulting that I am categorized against women's rights because of the fact that I am male. For equality to truly become possible, not only must men harbor respect and an open-mindedness, but women must do the same.

This 'battle' is more foolish than anything I can imagine, for if the world were truly divided with men against women on every front, I personally would not want to be here.

Posted by Thomas Jackson on 11/05/2009 @ 08:00PM PT
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Thomas, there are many many men who recognize that women's rights issues are really human rights issues. Simply being male doth not an opponent of women's rights make, and anyone who says all men are anti-equality is simply wrong.

If you are being unfairly accused of being opposed to women's rights, you may be unintentionally doing and saying things that lead people to that conclusion. Perhaps you might look in the mirror these people are holding up to you to learn how your communication skills could be improved. A little self-examination may be in order.

Or, perhaps there are as many drama queens in your high school as there were in mine, people who would rather work themselves up in high dudgeon in order to feel self-righteously put-upon.

As I recall, teens are not real good at subtleties and they tend to see things in stark black and white, God bless 'em.

Posted by Jenifer Lewis on 11/09/2009 @ 07:03AM PT
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I wish the PR department had found another way to get press attention for this research.

The executive summary of the report says, "the battle of the sexes is over and is replaced by negotiations between the sexes about work, family, household responsibilities, child care, and elder care." What if they hadn't said the battle is over? What if they had said that the battle is transitioning into negotiations? Then people might be interested in finding out more about the negotiations (the research in the report).

Saying "the battle is over" gives people an easy answer to an impossible question. It not only allows for a simplistic misreading of the report's findings, it has the potential to turn the report into a weapon that can be used against women's issues. (Maria Shriver says you are equal, what's your problem?)

The negotiations medaphore is powerful - I wish they had lead with that. Thanks for problematizing the question.

Posted by Kim Lear on 10/22/2009 @ 04:29PM PT
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I am baffled how the fact that women are about to become 50% of the workforce means that "the battle of the sexes is over."

Nedeau and Steinem are right: it's a very misleading way to summarize the important findings of this report.

Posted by Jenifer Lewis on 10/26/2009 @ 06:01AM PT
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Just heard to day that Maria Shriver was ticketed for parking her Escalade in a no parking zone. This of course comes shortly after she was photographed talking on her cell phone (again) while driving in violation of recent California law.

No doubt she means well, but I don't get the impression she understands the rules apply to her. If she doesn't understand that, I doubt she has much of a clue about what women without her power and prestige and wealth actually face in this world.

In response, Shriver said, "I'm sorry. I will be donating my favorite old cell phone to my Women's Conference partner Verizon through their HopeLine program that helps domestic violence shelters. I invite anyone else who wants to recycle their old phone to join me. That's my version of swift action with a higher purpose."

Donating her favorite old cell phone ... words fail me.

Posted by Jenifer Lewis on 10/27/2009 @ 05:46AM PT
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What planet is Maria Shriver living on? The planet "Privilege"? As a teacher, I am in a primarily -female dominated work force (although adminstrative positions higher than building-level principalships still seem to go to more males than females) so I don't deal with it so directly in my workplace. But in the world I suspect most of us live in, the "Battle of the sexes" is being quietly and tenaciously waged every day.

Posted by Cathy Kifer on 10/27/2009 @ 10:05AM PT
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The Battle still rages, folks. Just ask anyone who hasn't been promoted because she's not thin, pretty, or sporting a nice rack.

Posted by Tracey McCormick on 11/03/2009 @ 09:43PM PT
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I agree with Cathy--those living on the planet "Privilege" need to drop it. Drop the studies, drop the proclamations, drop the illusion that you are doing something to effect the power structure. This is cloud-cuckoo land wishful thinking in a world where sexism, racism, classism, homophobia are still powerful forces, and where women worldwide are living brutal lives, including women in the U.S. White women need to understand that they are replicating the power structure, not transforming it.

Posted by Madama Ambi on 11/04/2009 @ 10:10AM PT
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Feminist Advisory Board for Obama is a WORKgroup planning a worldwide women and allies strike. Participation is expected; lurkers are not welcome.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FAB4Obama/

DON'T GET CYNICAL. GET MAD.

Posted by Madama Ambi on 11/04/2009 @ 10:12AM PT
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The battle may be over, but there's still a war to win. PLEASE sign my petition (http://www.change.org/actions/view/protest_rabbi_tamara_millers_firing_by_gwu_hospital_for_complaining_of_salary_discrimination)on protesting the firing of a DC area professional woman fired from her job for complaining about salary discrimination. (More info and link to petition at http://newsericks.com/physician-heal-thyself.)

Posted by Ray in DC on 11/06/2009 @ 02:32PM PT
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With older, richer, politically empowered, caucasian, etc., males continually trying to take away the rights of midde-class to poor women, like in the actions below, no one can say equality exists, equity has been gained, nor, that those conditions have been even historically addressed, let alone redressed; as regards women :)

support women's healthcare now

http://womensrights.change.org/actions/view/support_womens_healthcare_now

As well, no trigger, because triggers don't get pulled. Also, please, advocate for singlepayer healthcare, with Community First Choice Option and CLASS Act (Community Choice Act for the handicapped, elderly, autistic, disabled, etc.); H.R. 676 & S. 703, are the best of the lot, so far; i.m.h.o..

Related actions and group :)

Healthcare Reform Actions :)

http://healthcare.change.org/actions/view/healthcare_reform_actions

http://www.change.org/profile/189788/actions

http://www.singlepayeraction.org//join.html

reality

Posted by james m nordlund on 11/10/2009 @ 12:17PM PT
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Author

Jen Nedeau is a social media consultant, progressive activist, feminist speaker and writer. She currently lives in New York City, where she works full-time as the Director of Digital Strategy at Air America Media. In August 2008, Nedeau was selected to be the Editor of the WomensRights.Change.Org where she facilitates daily discussion about the feminist movement. Additionally, Nedeau volunteers as the Chief Technology Officer for New Leaders Council, a non-profit that offers exclusive training for young leaders. You can follow her on Twitter @HumanFolly or learn more here: www.jennedeau.com.