CAS 100B – Public SpeakingPenn State World Campus :CAS 100B – Public SpeakingPenn State World Campus Lesson 8 Individual Problem-Solving Speech Kimberly Rumer 10/15/09


Does a Career Mean No Marriage? :Does a Career Mean No Marriage? America’s popular opinion claims a woman cannot achieve a higher education or successful career and also be attractive, let alone happily married. Stereotypical picture of “educated old maid” at home with her cats Modern American woman has the opportunity to fulfill her dreams of marriage while earning a high-income salary and a college education. This affects all of us in this room as we are in various forms of this – either single, going to school, employed or married while still in school and earning a high salary


Is this a Problem? :Is this a Problem? Not serious or life-threatening But affects us all through the scope of public opinion I believe it needs to be addressed because the situation is not the same as it used to be Times and facts have changed


Ways to Combat the Problem :Ways to Combat the Problem Some people can see the change In the people around them or they don’t really have an opinion on the subject Use them to help advocate the position and use some real life examples But….if they don’t care so much, they may not be very helpful For those who can’t – do the following (may be best!) State facts and statistics Most want “real” applications Show them your lives and how you live out the differences every day within your own household Some people will want to stand behind their opinion and prejudice so alternative means of application may be necessary


In the Past… :In the Past… Many women had to make the choice Between having a family and a career or success in the business world Highly educated women were less likely to marry than those with a high school diploma (and a frying pan!) Infoplease.com Median marriage age of women in 1960 was 20 years old If she pursued a higher education or a completed a four-year degree, she would graduate at 22 or 23. No one would be left! She would have to search or learn to be content.


In the Past… :In the Past… Men of the past Interested in marrying a cook and a cleaner Rather than an intellectual or working woman (Journal of Marriage and Family) published research – U of Texas – David M. Bus – 1956 – Men ranked education and intelligence 11th in the list of desired attributes in a mate More attracted to a woman who was refined and neat 1967 – Still ranked less than appearance and cooking skills but rose to 10th place


In the Present… :In the Present… More people completing higher levels of education, median age is rising To coincide with the time it takes to complete a degree and acquire full-time employment 2007 (infoplease.com) the median age of marriage rose to 26 years of age. Men are looking for a little more than a live-in maid 1985 and 1996 (Journal of Marriage and Family) reported intelligence and education jumped to #5 on men’s list of desired attributes of potential life mates – ahead of good looks.


Reversal of Trends :Reversal of Trends Female college grads with high-paying positions are now MORE likely to marry Than those with less education and lower earnings Just takes place later in life (Journal of Marriage and Family) In their 20s – highly educated women marry at a lower rate than their peers of the same age In their 30s – women with advanced degrees marry at a higher rate than their peers with less education at that age


Which is good for me…. :Which is good for me…. I am 27 years of age Pursuing a higher education Hold a steady, paying job A few decades ago, I would have to write off martial bliss and any dreams of a family based on education level or salary earnings Now, according to these studies, I have an even better chance of getting married at my age with my level of education. While I would have been an “old maid” in the past, I am now quite normal. My pursuit of a higher education is actually increasing my chances of marriage! Thank you PENN STATE!


Women and High Incomes :Women and High Incomes Presently Women with high incomes are experiencing similar results Popular opinion and prejudice says she should not make more money than her husband as men feel threatened by this More and more women are holding higher positions with high incomes It can actually be a help in the household finances My sister, Tammy, currently earns a higher salary than her husband and they have adjusted well. Each pays certain bills.


Conclusion :Conclusion Throw out the “old maid” image of the thirty-something home alone with only her degree and her cats to keep her company Successful, educated women also deserve a chance of marital bliss Are now living out their previously discarded dreams of having the best of both worlds….having a family life and a successful career as an educated woman.