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Women around the world graduate from college at higher rates than men. However, women’s participation in the workforce, especially in the ranks of senior management, continues to lag far behind that of men. Research indicates that, as women marry and start families, their earnings and opportunities for promotion decrease. While the difficulties that women encounter as they attempt to balance work and family life are frequently discussed, and are beginning to be addressed by employers, it is interesting to note that the difficulties faced by working married men are seldom raised.
Scott Coltrane, a researcher at the University of Oregon, has found that, while the earnings of women tend to go down with each additional child, the earnings of married men not only exceed those of both unmarried men and divorced men but also tend to go up with each additional child. One reason for this disparity may be that, as the size of the family grows, men rely on women to manage most of the responsibilities of housekeeping and child raising. While within the past few decades men have assumed a greater share of household responsibilities, in the United States, women still spend nearly twice as much time as men do in caring for children and the home. The time diaries of highly educated dual-income U.S. couples show that men enjoy three and a half times the leisure time as their female partners do.
If married men earn higher salaries and have more leisure time than their female counterparts do, what difficulties do these working men face? Research indicates three possible problems. First, the perceived responsibility of providing for a family drives men to work more hours and strive for promotion. Many men report feeling dissatisfied because the level of performance that is required to earn promotions and higher salaries prevents them from spending time with their families. Second, these demands on men also contribute to higher levels of marital discord. In a 2008 survey, 60 percent of U.S. fathers reported work-family conflicts, compared to 47 percent of mothers.
The pressure to be perceived as a good provider contributes to the third reason that married men may struggle. While women’s decisions to use family leave benefits, move to part-time employment, or leave the workforce to care for children are seen as valuable contributions to family life and, by extension, society, men’s decisions to do the same are frequently viewed by their employers as signs of weakness. Studies suggest that men who take advantage of paternity leave policies are viewed as weak or inadequate by both women and men. Research conducted in Australia found that men’s requests to work flexibly were denied at twice the rate of those of women.
1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
A. advocating changes in employers’ practices regarding female employees with children
B. examining some of the reasons that married men may experience problems related to their employment
C. describing the psychological consequences for men of earning high salaries
D. taking issue with those who believe that women should not earn more than men
E. analyzing the indirect effects of discrimination against women on married men
The OA is B
2. The passage provides information in support of which of the following assertions about married men who work?
A. The ability to provide for their families is the most important aspect of employment for married men
B. Married men in high-status positions are easily able to integrate their careers and family lives
C. Married men who achieve greater earnings while having a larger family are more satisfied on average than their wives
D. The perceived demands on men to earn enough income to support a family may have harmful effects on family life
E. As married men achieve higher earnings, they are able to take more time off from work to spend with their families
The OA is D
3. The author of the passage discusses Coltrane’s research primarily in order to
A. illustrate the benefits that employers extend to their married male employees
B. identify a benefit of work that married men experience that is accompanied by some potential costs
C. defend the family leave policies and flexible work schedules that some employers offer
D. modify the prevailing view that women experience disadvantages in the workplace after marrying and having children
E. point out several ways in which women experience discrimination in the workplace
The OA is B
4. According to the passage, married men generally receive higher salaries and have a better chance of being promoted than do single men because
A. employers consider married men to be more diligent and responsible than single men
B. married men have usually accrued more experience than have single men
C. married men may be able to rely on their spouses to address child care and household responsibilities
D. higher pay typically corresponds with greater job security and enhanced benefits
E. employers recognize the difficulties of providing for a larger number of children and seek to ease this burden
The OA is C
Scott Coltrane, a researcher at the University of Oregon, has found that, while the earnings of women tend to go down with each additional child, the earnings of married men not only exceed those of both unmarried men and divorced men but also tend to go up with each additional child. One reason for this disparity may be that, as the size of the family grows, men rely on women to manage most of the responsibilities of housekeeping and child raising. While within the past few decades men have assumed a greater share of household responsibilities, in the United States, women still spend nearly twice as much time as men do in caring for children and the home. The time diaries of highly educated dual-income U.S. couples show that men enjoy three and a half times the leisure time as their female partners do.
If married men earn higher salaries and have more leisure time than their female counterparts do, what difficulties do these working men face? Research indicates three possible problems. First, the perceived responsibility of providing for a family drives men to work more hours and strive for promotion. Many men report feeling dissatisfied because the level of performance that is required to earn promotions and higher salaries prevents them from spending time with their families. Second, these demands on men also contribute to higher levels of marital discord. In a 2008 survey, 60 percent of U.S. fathers reported work-family conflicts, compared to 47 percent of mothers.
The pressure to be perceived as a good provider contributes to the third reason that married men may struggle. While women’s decisions to use family leave benefits, move to part-time employment, or leave the workforce to care for children are seen as valuable contributions to family life and, by extension, society, men’s decisions to do the same are frequently viewed by their employers as signs of weakness. Studies suggest that men who take advantage of paternity leave policies are viewed as weak or inadequate by both women and men. Research conducted in Australia found that men’s requests to work flexibly were denied at twice the rate of those of women.
1. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with
A. advocating changes in employers’ practices regarding female employees with children
B. examining some of the reasons that married men may experience problems related to their employment
C. describing the psychological consequences for men of earning high salaries
D. taking issue with those who believe that women should not earn more than men
E. analyzing the indirect effects of discrimination against women on married men
The OA is B
2. The passage provides information in support of which of the following assertions about married men who work?
A. The ability to provide for their families is the most important aspect of employment for married men
B. Married men in high-status positions are easily able to integrate their careers and family lives
C. Married men who achieve greater earnings while having a larger family are more satisfied on average than their wives
D. The perceived demands on men to earn enough income to support a family may have harmful effects on family life
E. As married men achieve higher earnings, they are able to take more time off from work to spend with their families
The OA is D
3. The author of the passage discusses Coltrane’s research primarily in order to
A. illustrate the benefits that employers extend to their married male employees
B. identify a benefit of work that married men experience that is accompanied by some potential costs
C. defend the family leave policies and flexible work schedules that some employers offer
D. modify the prevailing view that women experience disadvantages in the workplace after marrying and having children
E. point out several ways in which women experience discrimination in the workplace
The OA is B
4. According to the passage, married men generally receive higher salaries and have a better chance of being promoted than do single men because
A. employers consider married men to be more diligent and responsible than single men
B. married men have usually accrued more experience than have single men
C. married men may be able to rely on their spouses to address child care and household responsibilities
D. higher pay typically corresponds with greater job security and enhanced benefits
E. employers recognize the difficulties of providing for a larger number of children and seek to ease this burden
The OA is C
