less pay than men. "Greater equality of the sexes

less pay than men. "Greater equality of the sexes by occupation is evident,” Dr. Kohen said, “but it doesn’t manifest itself in the earning positions of women compared to men.”

He noted that women have traditionally found employment in the service sector. "It is not coincidental that these jobs are lower paid.”

Women have experienced less unemployment than men in recent years, he said. "Women in the ’60s and 70s were unemployed at higher rates than men. In 1986 unemployment was minisculely lower for women than for men. But that is a product of the changing character of the American economy. Severe unemployment has been primarily in the men’s traditional fields such as the auto and steel industries.”

While affirmative action legislation and favorable judicial decisions have helped to improve the position of women in the economy, the educational system must play a positive role, according to Dr. Kohen.

"The system has long tracked women away from male-dominated jobs. Women have been discouraged in the sciences and mathematics from their junior high school days. Recently educators have begun to encourage gender neutrality and recognize that they have a moral obligation to teach students without discrimination.”

Dr. Kohen is concerned that interest in the subject of women’s equality has waned since the 70s although many problems have not been resolved. In his classes, he finds a disturbing attitude. “Proportionately more students believe that discrimination by gender and race is only a historical phenomenon. They think that equality for women has been achieved, that the women’s movement has had its impact and all is right with the world.”

"Women should know that they are going to encounter both prejudice and discrimination on entering the labor market. And men should understand that their spouses may not achieve because of discriminatory practices.”