According to New IWPR Survey, Most Young Women Say American Dream is within Reach—but Young Black, Latina, and LGBTQ Women Face More Setbacks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 14, 2021

Contact: William Lutz | [email protected] | (202) 684-7543

Washington, D.C. – The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) today released two survey briefs that capture the experiences and economic situations of young women during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery. The new briefs will be discussed in a webinar today on supporting young women during the pandemic recovery.

Based on survey data from 1,421 young women collected in June 2021, these new briefs provide insight into young women’s perspectives on their careers and finances during the early recovery period of the pandemic. The data reveal optimism on the part of young women as the nation continues its recovery, as well as challenges for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.

One survey question asked young women if they felt they had achieved, or were on their way to achieving, the “American dream,” however they chose to define it:

81.8% of young women surveyed say that they have achieved or are on their way to achieving the “American dream.”
A similar percentage (80.4%) of currently employed young women are very or somewhat satisfied with opportunities for advancement at their jobs.

“Even with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis, young women demonstrate tremendous resilience and optimism about their economic situations going forward,” said C. Nicole Mason, President and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. “These aspirations should be supported by continued investment in the well-being of women and families.”

While a large share of young women feel optimistic about their future, the data also indicate that young Black, Latina, and LGBTQ women faced more obstacles due to the pandemic and recession when compared to all women:

29.3% of young Black women, 27.1% of Latina women, and 35.7% of those identifying as LGBTQ or gender nonconforming reported experiencing career setbacks, compared to 24.3% for all young women.
70.5% of Black women and 62.9% of those identifying as LGBTQ or gender nonconforming reported worrying about their finances sometimes or almost daily, compared to 55.3% for all young women.

Young Black women also lack access to financial help from their parents, reflecting racial disparities in intergenerational wealth accumulation: only a third of young black women (34.6 percent) who received financial assistance turned to their parents, half the share of young White women (70.7 percent).

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Institute for Women's Policy Research
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