---
title: "Young Women Now Top Young Men in Valuing High-Paying Career"
description: "Two-thirds of young women ages 18 to 34 rate career high on their list of life priorities, compared with 59% of young men."
date: "2012-10-15"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2012/10/15/young-women-now-top-young-men-in-valuing-high-paying-career/"
categories:
  - "Gender Roles"
---

# Young Women Now Top Young Men in Valuing High-Paying Career

In a reversal of traditional gender roles, young women now surpass young men in the importance they place on having a high-paying career or profession, according to survey findings from the Pew Research Center. Two-thirds (66%) of young women ages 18 to 34 rate career high on their list of life priorities, compared with 59% of young men. In 1997, 56% of young women and 58% of young men felt the same way.

The past 15 years have also seen an increase in the share of middle-aged and older women who say being successful in a high-paying career or profession is “one of the most important things” or “very important” in their lives. Today about the same share of women (42%) and men (43%) ages 35 to 64 say this. In 1997, more middle-aged and older men than women felt this way (41% vs. 26%).

Though women are increasingly focused on college and career, the share who place marriage and parenthood high on the list of priorities is undiminished. For both men and women, being a good parent and having a successful marriage remain much more important than career success. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2012/04/19/a-gender-reversal-on-career-aspirations/)