Topics At A Glance: Women and Work

Better If Man Works And Woman Takes Care Of Family

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(Now I'm going to read several more statements. As I read each one, please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with it.)...It is much better for everyone involved if the man is the achiever outside the home and the woman takes care of the home and family.

Note: Asked of 2/3 sample
General Social Survey 2010, [Mar, 2010]

Note: Asked of 2/3 sample
General Social Survey 2008, [Apr, 2008]

Please tell me whether you basically agree about...it is much better for everyone involved if the man is the achiever outside the home and the woman takes care of the home and family?

Note: Asked of one third sample
Faith Matters Survey 2006, [Jun, 2006]

Equality In Hiring, Promotions, Advancement

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As you may know, the US (United States) Senate is considering legislation that would make it easier for women to sue for wage discrimination. Democrats say the bill would promote fairness in the workplace, while Republicans say it would encourage too many unjustified lawsuits. Who are you more likely to trust on this issue, the Democrats or the Republicans?

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll, [May, 2012]

Now, according to data from the US (United States) Census bureau, women working full-time in 2010 earned, on average, just over 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man working full-time. Economists call this the Wage Gap. This means that although women represent more workers than men, they make less money. From your experience and observation, please tell me which of the following best explains the wage gap between what women and men earn in the workplace....Women are not treated as equals to men. Compared to men, many women are often seen as incapable of doing certain jobs, or seen as less valuable, or seen as supplemental income earners who do not need to make as much money, or they are not included in the same social networking that enables men to move up. Women make different choices than men in the workplace. Many women choose or accept jobs that are lower-paying, or are not as aggressive as men in pursuing raises or promotions, or they are less likely to take on riskier or more physically demanding jobs that often pay better. Women have different family and home life priorities and responsibilities than men. Many women leave jobs or scale back their hours to have children or care for family members, giving up years of experience. Also, in addition to working, women dedicate more time than men to taking care of children and the home.

Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Do you feel that women in this country have equal job opportunities as men, or not?

Gallup Poll, [Jun, 2007]

Equal Pay For Equal Work

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Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Now I'm going to read you a list of proposals that some people have recommended to Barack Obama and the Congress. For each one, please tell me how important it is that Obama and Congress enact this proposal. Is it extremely important to enact, very important to enact, just somewhat important to enact, not at all important to enact or would you actively oppose that proposal?...Make it easier to challenge pay discrimination in the workplace to make sure women are paid the same as men who perform the same job.

Sample: National voters including oversamples of unmarried women, blacks, Latinos, and youth
Women's Voices. Women Vote Survey, [Jan, 2009]

(I'm going to read a list of challenges some women may face in the next decade. As I read each one, please tell me if you think it will be a major obstacle to progress for women like you in the next 10 years, a minor obstacle, or not an obstacle for women like you in the next 10 years.) What about...unequal pay? Will this be a major obstacle to progress for women like you in the next 10 years, a minor obstacle, or not an obstacle?

What Women Want Survey, [Oct, 2008]

Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace

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Now I am going to read you a short paragraph about policies and actions by Republicans in Congress. After I read this paragraph, I will ask you questions about your reactions. Republicans in Congress recently attempted to allow employers to discriminate against women by denying health care coverage for birth control for any reason. The Republican majority in Congress proposed slashing 810 billion dollars over the next 10 years from Medicare and Medicaid that many women rely on for their health care, cut funding for job training programs and education nearly in half and opposed a law cracking down on employers who pay women less than men for the same job. Does this paragraph raise very serious doubts about supporting Republicans, serious doubts, minor doubts or no real doubts about supporting Republicans?

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form B half sample of those in Republican districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

(If Form A read:) (Now I am going to read you a short paragraph about policies and actions by Republicans in Congress. After I read this paragraph, I will ask you questions about your reactions. Republicans in Congress recently attempted to allow employers to discriminate against women by denying health care coverage for birth control for any reason. The Republican majority in Congress passed a bill to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions, as well as basic health care and cancer screenings to millions of American women and attempted to redefine rape to deny crime victims access to emergency birth control. Does this paragraph raise very serious doubts about supporting Republicans, serious doubts, minor doubts or no real doubts about supporting Republicans?) (If Form B read:) (Now I am going to read you a short paragraph about policies and actions by Republicans in Congress. After I read this paragraph, I will ask you questions about your reactions. Republicans in Congress recently attempted to allow employers to discriminate against women by denying health care coverage for birth control for any reason. The Republican majority in Congress proposed slashing 810 billion dollars over the next 10 years from Medicare and Medicaid that many women rely on for their health care, cut funding for job training programs and education nearly in half and opposed a law cracking down on employers who pay women less than men for the same job. Does this paragraph raise very serious doubts about supporting Republicans, serious doubts, minor doubts or no real doubts about supporting Republicans?) After hearing these statements, would you say you are more committed to voting this November (2012) or less committed to voting this November? (If More/Less committed, ask:) (Is that much or somewhat more/less?)

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Note: Asked in Republican districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Which one or two of the following do you believe is the biggest problem facing gay and lesbian people in this country?...Bullying of gay and lesbian students in schools, alienated from family and community, anti-gay violence and threat of violence, lack of legal protection for couples in a relationship, lack of recognition and validation of committed relationships among friends, family and community, discrimination in the work place and public accommodations, lack of protections for the children of same-sex couples

%
29		Bullying of gay and lesbian students in schools
21		Alienated from family and community
17		Anti-gay violence and threat of violence
16		Lack of legal protection for couples in a relationship
15		Lack of recognition and validation of committed relationships among friends, family and community
11		Discrimination in the work place and public accommodations
9		Lack of protections for the children of same-sex couples
7		All (Vol.)
5		None (Vol.)
7		Don't know/Refused

Human Rights Campaign Survey, [Jul, 2011]

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

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Recently (2012) presidential (election) candidate Herman Cain has been battling claims that he sexually harassed four women more than a decade ago. Cain says the claims are false....How would you rate the job Herman Cain has done responding to the allegations--excellent, good, only fair or poor?

Sample: National registered voters
Fox News Poll, [Nov, 2011]

Do you think sexual harassment of women in the workplace is a problem in this country or not?

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Nov, 2011]

Is it (sexual harassment of women in the workplace) a serious problem, or not serious?

Note: Asked of those who said sexual harassment of women in the workplace is a problem in this country (64%)
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Nov, 2011]

Women In Politics

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(Recently (2012) presidential (election) candidate Herman Cain has been battling claims that he sexually harassed four women more than a decade ago. Cain says the claims are false.)...Based on what you know, do you believe the women making the accusations against Herman Cain are more likely to be motivated by politics, by the possibility of financial gain, or are they simply motivated by a desire for fairness?

Sample: National registered voters
Fox News Poll, [Nov, 2011]

Tell me if you agree or disagree with this statement: Most men are better suited emotionally for politics than are most women.

Note: Asked of 2/3 sample
General Social Survey 2010, [Mar, 2010]

As you may know, our country has 8 women governors out of 50, and 16 women Senators out of 100. There may be many reasons that there are fewer women than men in high political offices. Here is a list of some of them. For each, please tell me whether you think it is a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason why there are fewer women in politics....Many Americans aren't ready to elect a woman to higher office.

Pew Social Trends Poll, [Jun, 2008]

Work and Family

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Which one or two of the following do you believe the federal government could do right now to help your own financial situation?...Cut taxes for the middle class, make college more affordable, provide mortgage and foreclosure relief so people could hold on to their homes, provide government jobs for the unemployed, make sure women are paid the same as men who perform the same job, increase the minimum wage, extend unemployment benefits, provide more affordable child care

%
37		Cut taxes for the middle class
22		Make college more affordable
16		Provide mortgage and foreclosure relief so people could hold on to their homes
16		Provide government jobs for the unemployed
12		Make sure women are paid the same as men who perform the same job
9		Increase the minimum wage
7		Extend unemployment benefits
5		Provide more affordable child care
6		All (Vol.)
2		Other (Vol.)
9		None (Vol.)
4		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National voters including oversamples of unmarried women, African-Americans, Latinos, and youth
Democracy Corps Poll, [Apr, 2010]

Now thinking just about the past year, I'm going to read you a list of people who did things that diminished their standing with the public. Which one of these people most disappointed you?...John Edwards for having an affair while his wife is being treated for cancer, Tiger Woods for having extramarital affairs, Chris Brown for hitting and abusing his girlfriend Rihanna, the Balloon Boy parents for carrying out a hoax, the reality television family of Jon and Kate for exposing their affairs and divorce, David Letterman for having extramarital affairs with women who work for him, Alex Rodriguez for using steroids to enhance his performance in baseball...(If More than one, ask:) Well, if you had to choose just one, which would you say most disappointed you?

%
33		John Edwards for having an affair while his wife is being treated for cancer
16		Tiger Woods for having extramarital affairs
15		Chris Brown for hitting and abusing his girlfriend Rihanna
11		The Balloon Boy parents for carrying out a hoax
6		The reality television family of Jon and Kate for exposing their affairs and divorce
4		David Letterman for having extramarital affairs with women who work for him
4		Alex Rodriguez for using steroids to enhance his performance in baseball
8		None (Vol.)
3		Not sure

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Dec, 2009]

(Now let me read you some statements some people make about name of House Incumbent. After hearing each statement please tell me if it makes you much more likely to support name of House Incumbent, somewhat more likely, just a little more likely, no more likely or less likely to support name of House Incumbent?)...Entering office in the midst of the worst economy since the Depression, name of Democratic House Incumbent has helped take the first important steps of change, extending health insurance to 11 million children, passing a law to ensure women get equal pay for equal work and passing a recovery package to start getting our economy back on track.

Sample: Likely voters in 40 Democratic and 15 Republican Congressional districts
Note: Asked of Form B half sample of those in Democratic districts whose representative voted for the economic stimulus
Democracy Corps Poll, [Apr, 2009]

From the Archives

(Please tell me if you believe that any of the following things have ever happened to you because of discrimination against women. As a result of discrimination... you were passed over for a promotion which went to a man?

Note: Asked of women
Gallup/CNN/USA Today Poll, [Mar, 1995]

If you had a daughter in her late teens or early twenties, would you rather she be an intern for a Republican member of Congress, a Democratic member of Congress, or would you rather she not be a Washington intern at all?

Sample: National registered voters
Fox News/Opinion Dynamics Poll, [Jul, 2001]

(Here are some statements people have made about this employment policy (in option 1 the company would not consider women who chose this track for future promotions to top management positions. These women would be given a flexible schedule and longer maternity leave. In return, they would receive lower pay and less opportunity for advancement. In option 2 the company would consider women who chose this track for future promotion to top management positions. These women would have no children, grown children or would have someone else take care of their children. They would receive higher pay, and must be willing to work long hours) for women. Would you read down the list, and for each, tell me whether you strongly agree, generally agree, generally disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement? (Hand respondent card))... This policy is just an excuse for paying women less than men

%
		Women's Responses
37		Strongly agree
32		Generally disagree
17		Generally disagree
5		Strongly disagree
9		Don't know
		Men's Responses
23		Strongly agree
32		Generally disagree
26		Generally disagree
9		Strongly disagree
10		Don't know

Sample: National Women, National Men (see note)
Virginia Slims American Women's Poll 1989, [Jul, 1989]