American women have long struggled against oppression and discrimination. In recent years however, men and women have developed an equal footing. This is made evident in the fact that most every obstacle that gives men an advantage over women has been removed from modern life.

According to the New York Times, since late 2008, women account for the majority of the American workforce.

Equal representation in the workplace is reinforced by strict sexual harassment standards. Sexual harassment in workplace settings can now result in the firing or reprimand of entire departments. Women are now as empowered and protected as men in the workplace.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that since 2007, males have accounted for 80 percent of the jobs lost here in the United States. Many employment opportunities vanished during the housing crash, especially in the field of construction.

Male-dominated jobs like construction are at the mercy of the economy. Female-dominated jobs including nursing and childcare are typically long-term careers with a lower risk of termination during economic downturns.

Beyond employment security, Census data published in 2007 shows that females maintain a 6 percent greater likelihood than males of receiving a high school diploma. This remains consistent for comparing statistics between races. High school diplomas, though far less fruitful in the American jobs market than college degrees, are helpful with applying for vocational training and job placement.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009 Current Population Survey, since 1991, females have received more bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees than their equally qualified, male counterparts. Since that time, the ratio of women receiving more master’s degrees and doctorates than men has expanded.

In light of these achievements, what evidence is there that women are given a disadvantage?  There are several indicators that imply that women are at a disadvantage. However, the consequences women disproportionately face are as a result of personal choices.

For example, even though women continue to receive a higher percentage of arts and humanities degrees at the university level, they continue to receive scientific degrees less often than men.

This is not the result of women being rejected from scientific fields. It is the result of women pursuing scientific fields less often. Just as men aren’t discriminated against by the arts, women are in no way excluded from scientific fields of study.

Another segment of the female population that appears to fall short of equality are single, primary caregivers. U.S. Census data indicates that for each single, male primary caregiver there are nine female caregivers.

Some may argue that this is evidence that women don’t have an equal footing. It is fundamental to recognize however, that even though mothers generally take on this responsibility, the freedom to support a child is the same choice for both men and women. In addition, the consequences of our actions are also equal.

Beyond this point, certain checks and balances exist to help accommodate for single caregivers who have made the decision to care for their children. In addition to government services related to health and housing, women receive 97 percent of all divorce alimony.

Fifteen years ago, women received $5.6 billion in paid alimony. As of 2007, that amount has since climbed to $9.4 billion. Many states allow for alimony recipients to receive payments for the rest of their lives, even after marrying a new spouse.

The question at hand is whether men and women have an equal footing.

Our freedoms, our opportunities and our consequences are essentially the same.

In addition to this, balances exist to help account for the parental role that women disproportionally choose to play. By our very nature, our footing may not be completely identical, as our temperaments differ somewhat. Still, there is certainly an equal balance between our standpoints.