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Published on:

13th May 2026

How Did We Get Here? A Dive into Gender Disparities in College

College campuses are now nearly 60% female, highlighting a significant shift in gender dynamics in higher education over the past 50 years. Back in 1972, the landscape looked very different, with men dominating the numbers. We’ve seen a concerted effort to bring women into higher education, and it’s been effective—so much so that now young men are falling behind. It's been a trend that's been growing since I was in college two decades ago, yet the focus remains predominantly on supporting young women. I can't help but wonder—if we recognize when a group is lagging, why aren’t we doing anything to address this double standard?

Takeaways:

  • Today, college campuses are nearly 60% female, showcasing a dramatic shift in demographics.
  • Since 1972, the gender balance in higher education has flipped significantly, leading to new challenges.
  • For 50 years, we’ve focused on getting women into higher education, and it's paying off.
  • Interestingly, young men are now lagging behind, a trend that's been growing since I was in college.
  • Despite the evident issue of young men falling behind, there is still little action being taken.
  • The lack of response to this double standard raises important questions about our educational priorities.


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Transcript
Speaker A:

This is the Daily note from jamesabrown.net College campuses are nearly 60% female today.

Speaker A:

Back in:

Speaker A:

So the country built programs and changed policies and put real attention into getting women into higher education for 50 years.

Speaker A:

And it worked.

Speaker A:

Now young men are behind, and it's been happening increasingly since I was in college 20 years ago, but the emphasis is still on young women.

Speaker A:

And I keep thinking, we think we know what to do when a group of people are falling behind.

Speaker A:

So why aren't we doing anything about it?

Speaker A:

Now that's a double standard if I've ever heard one.

Speaker A:

On that note, I'm James A.

Speaker A:

Brown, and as always, be well.

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About the Podcast

The Daily Note with James A. Brown
The Daily Note is a 60-second daily podcast hosted by James A. Brown.
The Daily Note is a 60-second daily podcast from James A. Brown. Each episode delivers independent commentary on American life through small, honest observations. Brown notices the moments most of us feel but never say out loud. He asks questions about work, family, time, money, and the systems that shape how we live.
This is not a news show and it is not a political show. It is a show about paying attention. If you have ever felt like you see something that nobody else is talking about, The Daily Note was made for you.
New episodes every weekday on air and online. Learn more at jamesabrown.net

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