Introduction

This report provides a statistical overview of the changing status of women in American society during the 1970 decade. Data have been compiled primarily from U.S. Government sources: surveys, decennial censuses, vital statistics, and administrative records. While the majority of the statistics have been published previously in Bureau of the Census or other governmental reports, they are assembled here to document the patterns of demographic, social, and economic change that have affected American women in the 1970's. The factors involved in these changes and their interrelationships may have a pervasive influence in shaping the future life situation of American women.

The analyses examine the recent trends (generally from 1970 to 1978) among women in the areas of population growth and distribution, longevity, mortality, health, marital status, living arrangements, housing characteristics, fertility, and education. Other topics include labor force participation, work experience, occupation, industry, women-owned businesses, income, poverty status, voting, public officeholding, and crime and victimization. Attention is focused on the socioeconomic condition of women relative to that of men. Comparisons of Black women with White women are discussed separately, and recent data are included for women of Spanish origin. Separate data are also presented for American Indian women and Asian women.

The statistics in this report update those presented in "A Statistical Portrait of Women in the United States," Current Population Reports, Series P-23, No. 58, April 1976. The earlier report contains historical data relating to women, beginning in 1900 where available.