Why Do So Few US Women Hold Top Jobs?

In this Jan. 4, 2007 file photo, newly-elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, holds up the gavel surrounded by children and grandchildren of members of Congress in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Pelosi was the first woman elected as Speaker. (AP File Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

为何一些美国女性能够获得高层职务？
A new study confirms what most people already know: American women are still far behind American men in taking top leadership jobs in business and politics.
一项新研究公布一项众所周知的事实：在商业和政界，美国女性所占据的高层职务比例还是远远低于男性。
The Pew Research Center in Washington, DC produced the study. Pew researchers found that most Americans believe women have the right qualities to be leaders. But they say women may still not be hired into leadership positions.
美国华盛顿特区的佩尤研究中心发布这样研究。佩尤的研究者发现大多数美国人相信女性有潜质成为领导人，但是他们表示女性有可能还没有被录用到领导人的位置。
"On the one hand, the public thinks that women are just as qualified as men to be in top leadership positions, in business and in government, on the other hand the public feels it is easier for men to get those jobs, and the public is also skeptical that things are going to change in the future, particularly on the business front.”
“一方面，公众认为女性跟男性一样，在商界和政界都有资格成为领导人；另一方面，公众认为男性更容易获得这些领导人的工作，公众怀疑未来可能会有一些变动，特别是在商业各界。”
Kim Parker directs social trends at the Pew Research Center. She says the new study found that Americans think men and women have the same intelligence and ability to create new things. But Americans think women and men have some different abilities.
吉米·帕克领导佩尤研究中心的社会发展趋势。她表示新的研究表明美国人认为在创造新事物方面，男性跟女性有相同的智力和能力。但是美国人认为女性和男性还是有一些不同的能力。
For instance, they believe women are especially good at finding compromises. In other words, women can find ways for people to agree, or at least accept solutions. The study also found Americans see women as more compassionate and organized leaders than men.
例如：他们相信女性特别擅长寻找妥协点。换句话说，女性能够找到人们一致同意或者至少接受的解决办法。研究还表明美国人认为女性领导者比男性更富同情心，也更有组织能力。
Americans also believe women are better leaders for social issues, such as education and health care. But Americans see men as better leaders on national defense and security.
美国人还相信女性领导人在解决一些教育、健康医疗等社会问题上比男性做的更好。但是美国人认为相比女性，男性领导人在国防和安全事务方面更能胜任。
Women in business
商界的女性
In the business world, Americans say women still have challenges at the top. Sallie Krawcheck would know. She held top jobs at leading financial companies such as Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
在商界。美国人认为女性在高层领导人方面仍面临很多挑战。萨莉·克牢切克很清楚这一点。她在首席金融公司担任高层职务，这些首席公司有美邦公司和梅林国际银行。
“I never saw overt gender discrimination when I was at these companies, when I was at Bank of America, Citi, which owned Merrill and Smith Barney, but I certainly did see a lot of individuals making choices about promotions, or people to move ahead or new projects to give, in which recipients were people who looked a lot like themselves.”
“在美国银行——花旗银行，旗下拥有梅林和美邦任职时，我从未见到过很明显的性别歧视，但是我确实看到很多个人在选择升职时或者人们获得新项目时做出的选择，接受者认为他们遭遇到一些问题。”
In 2008, the financial company Citigroup dismissed Ms.Krawcheck from her top level job. Ms. Krawcheck says that for years she had said she was not fired because she was a woman. Now, she says maybe that is possible. Because, she explains, she wanted to solve a problem in a different way than the rest of the other leaders, all of whom were men. In time, the other leaders accepted her plan, but the company later dismissed her.
2008年，金融公司花旗集团从高层管理人员的职位上解雇了克牢切克。克牢切克多年来一直坚称自己并不是因为自己是女性而被解雇。现在她表示也许是因为她是女性。因为她解释说：与其他的男性领导层不同，她想用不同的方式来解决问题。最后，其他领导人接受了她的计划方案，但是不久，公司解雇了她。
Ms. Krawcheck says women often have different approaches than men, and they have different strengths. As a result, she says, teams that include a variety of people are better.
克牢切克表示女性解决问题的手段不同于男性，他们各自有长处。因此，团队中男女都有的话效果会更好。
"The power of diversity, diversity of all kinds, diversity of gender, of color of thought of perspective, that those are additive, and the diverse teams are actually so powerful that they outperform more intelligent teams. "
“多元化的力量，各种多元化：性别多元化、想法多元化，这些对于问题的解决都会增色不少。多元化的队伍力量非常强大，能够发挥更多的聪明才智。”
Sallie Krawcheck now heads two companies. One company, called Ellevate, connects women with each other and supports their professional and financial success. She says her company is an important part of a bigger trend. People around the world, she says, are talking about how important female leaders are.
萨莉·克牢切克现在领导者两家公司。一家是艾利威特公司（Ellevate），这家公司将女性联合在一起，相互支持帮助，实现她们职业和金融反面的成功。她说她的公司是大趋势中一个非常重要的一部分。她表示：世界各地的人们都在谈论女性领导人的重要性。
“We are having an absolutely amazing global conversation about the positive impact of the economic and financial engagement of women."
“我们有一个关于女性参与经济和金融事务中积极影响的一个绝对值得称赞的全球对话。”
How does the U.S. compare?
美国如何比较？
In another study, the Pew Research Center compared the number of women in the U.S. legislature to the number of women in similar positions in other developed nations. The study found the U.S. was in the lower half.
另一项研究中，佩尤研究中心把美国立法机关的女性数量同其它发达国家相似职位的女性进行比较。研究发现美国女性数量比其它国家女性数量低一半。
Drew DeSilver is a senior writer for Pew.
德鲁·戴斯威尔是佩尤研究中心的资深作者。
“We stand at almost exactly 20 percent of the membership of the House and Senate are women and that would put the United States in about 29th place out of 49 countries studied, tied with the Czech republic and Saudi Arabia.”
“美国参议院和众议院议员中大概有20%的女性，在49个研究的国家中，美国排名第29位，与捷克共和国和沙特阿拉伯并列。”
Even getting to that 20 percent of the Congress has taken a long time, Mr.DeSilver says.
戴斯威尔说国会中即使女性只占有20%的比例，也是经过很长时间才有这样的一个结果。
"It’s taken almost a century for the United States to go from one woman from the very first woman in Congress to having 20% of women in Congress, and that, most of that, most of the increase has taken place in the last 20 years."
“美国用了接近100年的时间，让国会中从第一位女议员增加到女议员所占20%的比例，而这一比例的增长大部分都是过去20年发生的。”
When it comes to women in high-level presidential cabinet jobs, America has done better. Now, close to one-third of President Obama’s advisors in his cabinet are women. That percentage places the United States at 13 among the 49 countries studied.
不过，女性在总统内阁中获得的高层职位方面，美国做的更好。现在，奥巴马总统的内阁中，三分之一的顾问是女性。这一比例让美国在49个研究国家中排名第13位。
But of course, America has yet to elect a woman president. In contrast, women have served as president or prime minister in countries from Great Britain to Brazil, from Israel to India, and Ireland to Argentina.
当然，美国还没有选出一位女总统。相比之下，女性担任首相\总统或者总理的国家有英国、巴西、以色列、印度、爱尔兰、阿根廷。
Researcher Drew DeSilver said in some parts of the world, such as in Scandinavia, political parties are required to nominate an equal number of women and men. Therefore, women and men can hold an equal number of seats in the parliament. Such requirements can help women reach more cabinet level positions as well.
研究员德鲁·戴斯威尔说在世界上的一些国家，比如：斯堪的纳维亚，政党被要求提名相同数量的女性和女性议员。因此，女性和男性在议会中占有相同的席位。这样的要求可以帮助女性获得内阁的席位。
The U.S. has no similar requirements for political parties. But even so, Pew researchers found most Americans think they will see a woman president in their lifetimes. Some observers say that person might be Hillary Clinton.
美国的政党没有类似的要求。但是尽管如此，佩尤研究中心的研究员发现很多美国人认为在他们的一生中还是能够看到出现一位女总统。一些观察者认为这个人也许是希拉里·克林顿。
While it is difficult to predict the future, Professor Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia Center for Politics said in January he thinks Hillary Clinton will run for president with the Democratic Party.
预见未来有点困难，弗吉尼亚大学政治中心的拉里·萨博特教授表示，在1月份，希拉里·克林顿将会代表民主党竞选国家总统。
"She is a heavy, heavy favorite to be the Democratic nominee. She hasn’t formally announced. Some people think she might not run. That would be an enormous shock. I think she will run, she will be the nominee."
“她是民主党最最中意的候选人。她还没有正式宣布参与竞选。一些人认为她也许不会参加竞选。那将给人一个巨大的冲击。我认为她会参与竞选，她会成为候选人。”
With or without a woman president, an increasing number of women in the U.S. are already serving in their state legislatures. And, researcher Kim Parker says that across the country, more women than men hold managerial and professional jobs. In time, those women may also rise to the top in politics and business.
不管有没有女总统，美国越来越多的女性在各州立法机构任职。研究员吉米·帕克表示，纵观全国，女性多于男性参与管理层职位或者专业职位的职务。随着时间的推移，那些女性也会在政界和商界获得高层职务。
I’m Anne Ball.
我是安妮·鲍尔。
Anne Ball reported and wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly JeanKelly was the editor.
________________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
trend -n. a general direction of change: a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more common
compassionate – adj. feeling or showing concern for someone who is sick, hurt, poor, etc.: having or showing compassion
challenge –n. a difficult task or problem : something that is hard to do
overt –adj. easily seen : not secret or hidden
approach –n. a way of dealing with something : a way of doing or thinking about something.
diversity –n. the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.
Do women in your country have many high level jobs in business or politics? Why or why not? Tell us what you think in the comments section below. We want to hear from you.
 

Why Do So Few US Women Hold Top Jobs?

In this Jan. 4, 2007 file photo, newly-elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, holds up the gavel surrounded by children and grandchildren of members of Congress in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Pelosi was the first woman elected as Speaker. (AP File Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

A new study confirms what most people already know:American women are still far behind American men in taking top leadership jobs in business and politics.

The Pew Research Center in Washington, DCproduced the study. Pew researchers found that most Americans believe women have the right qualities to be leaders. But they say women may still not be hired into leadership positions.

"On the one hand, the public thinks that women are just as qualified as men to be in top leadership positions, in business and in government, on the other hand the public feels it is easier for men to get those jobs, and the public is also skeptical that things are going to change in the future, particularly on the business front.”

Kim Parker directs social trends at the Pew Research Center. She says the new study found that Americans think men and women have the same intelligence and ability to create new things. But Americans think women and men have some different abilities.

For instance, they believe women are especially goodat finding compromises. In other words, women can find ways for people to agree, or at least accept solutions. The study also found Americans see women as more compassionate and organized leaders than men.

Americans also believe women are better leaders for social issues, such as education and health care. But Americans see men as better leaders on national defense and security.

Women in business

Sallie Krawcheck

In the business world, Americans say women still have challenges at the top. Sallie Krawcheck would know. She held top jobs at leading financial companies such as Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

“I never saw overt gender discrimination when I was at these companies, when I was at Bank of America,Citi, which owned Merrill and Smith Barney, but I certainly did see a lot of individuals making choices about promotions, or people to move ahead or new projects to give, in which recipients were people who looked a lot like themselves.”

In 2008, the financial company Citigroup dismissed Ms.Krawcheck from her top level job. Ms. Krawcheck says that for years she had said she was not fired because she was a woman. Now, she says maybe that is possible. Because, she explains, she wanted to solve a problem in a different way than the rest of the other leaders, all of whom were men. In time, the other leaders accepted her plan, but the company later dismissed her.

Ms. Krawcheck says women often have different approaches than men, and they have different strengths. As a result, she says, teams that include avariety of people are better.

"The power of diversity, diversity of all kinds, diversity of gender, of color of thought of perspective, that those are additive, and the diverse teams are actually so powerful that they outperform more intelligent teams. "

Sallie Krawcheck now heads two companies. One company, called Ellevate,connects women with each other and supports their professional and financialsuccess. She says her company is an important part of a bigger trend. People around the world, she says, are talking about how important female leaders are.

“We are having an absolutely amazing global conversation about the positive impact of the economic and financial engagement of women."

How does the U.S. compare?

In another study, the Pew Research Center compared the number of women in the U.S. legislature to the number of women in similar positions in other developed nations. The study found the U.S. was in the lower half.

Drew DeSilver is a senior writer for Pew.

“We stand at almost exactly 20 percent of the membership of the House and Senate are women and that would put the United States in about 29th place out of 49 countries studied, tied with the Czech republic and Saudi Arabia.”

Even getting to that 20 percent of the Congress has taken a long time, Mr.DeSilver says.

"It’s taken almost a century for the United States to go from one woman from the very first woman in Congress to having 20% of women in Congress, and that, most of that, most of the increase has taken place in the last 20 years."

When it comes to women in high-level presidential cabinet jobs, America has done better. Now, close to one-third of President Obama’s advisors in his cabinet are women. That percentage places the United States at 13 among the 49 countries studied.

But of course, America has yet to elect a woman president. In contrast,women have served as president or prime minister in countries from Great Britain to Brazil, from Israel to India, and Ireland to Argentina.

Researcher Drew DeSilver said in some parts of the world, such as in Scandinavia, political parties are required to nominate an equal number of women and men. Therefore, women and men can hold an equal number of seats in the parliament. Such requirements can help women reach more cabinet level positions as well.

The U.S. has no similar requirements for political parties. But even so, Pew researchers found most Americans think they will see a woman president in their lifetimes. Some observers say that person might be Hillary Clinton.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

While it is difficult to predict the future, Professor Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia Center for Politics said in January he thinks Hillary Clinton will run for president with the Democratic Party.

"She is a heavy, heavy favorite to be the Democratic nominee. She hasn’t formally announced. Some people think she might not run. That would be an enormous shock. I think she will run, she will be the nominee."

With or without a woman president, an increasing number of women in the U.S. are already serving in their state legislatures. And, researcher Kim Parker says that across the country, more women than men hold managerial and professional jobs. In time, those women may also rise to the top in politics and business.

I’m Anne Ball.

Anne Ball reported and wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly JeanKelly was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

trend -n. a general direction of change: a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more common

compassionate – adj. feeling or showing concern for someone who is sick,hurt, poor, etc.: having or showing compassion

challenge –n. a difficult task or problem : something that is hard to do

overt –adj. easily seen : not secret or hidden

approach –n. a way of dealing with something : a way of doing or thinking about something.

diversity –n. the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas,etc.

Do women in your country have many high level jobs in business or politics?Why or why not? Tell us what you think in the comments section below. We want to hear from you.