Women's Status

In 1963, President Kennedy issued a major report on the status of women. This week, his niece Maria Shriver updates it with a media extravaganza on NBC and affiliated cable networks. “The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Changes Everything,” conducted in conjunction with the Center for American Progress, will look at how women fare today. We are examining some key indicators, too.

Since 2001, Gallup has asked Americans about satisfaction with various aspects of American life. One of the questions asks about “the position of women in the nation,” and in each survey, a large majority of Americans report being satisfied. In 2008, in only one other area—the overall quality of life—was satisfaction higher than it was with the position of women. Eighty-two reported satisfaction with the overall quality of their lives; 72 percent with the position of women.

Source: The Gallup Organization, January 2008.