U.S. job losses hit men harder than women

July 8, 4:55 PMWatchdog Politics ExaminerMartha R Gore

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Of the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs since the recession began, the gap between men and women who have become unemployed continues to widen. One reason may be because two industries--construction and manufacturing--which are male dominated account for half of the 6000 million plus job that have been lost.

In the past, 87% of workers in manufacturing and 71% in construction was made up of male workers.  At the same time, the health care and education fields had high concentrations of women. Health care is made up of 81% women and they also make up 61% of workers in education.

This is reflected in an unemployment rate for men at 10.6% and women at 8.3%.  The gap between the two sexes was one of the highest since records started being kept in 1948.

The unemployment rates based on race are even more dramatic.  An example is that in May 2009, white men's unemployment rate wa 9.7% but that of black men was 18%. Teenagers, both white and black, are being hit especially hard as they compete for jobs with older adults. (For further statistics, read articles listed below.)

There may be somewhat of a change coming as the net gain in health care and education jobs is slowing.  In fact, those industries are beginning to show that layoff are beginning in those fields.

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