Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.trends From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: trends Wed, Mar 11 1992 Date: Wed, 11 Mar 92 05:46:04 EST Message-ID: 03-11 0000 DECISIONLINE: Trends & Marketing USA TODAY Update March 11, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network MORE WOMEN ARE WORKING: More women are working outside the home full time, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics household survey. In 1970, 40.7% of women worked full time outside the home. That figure rose steadily over the next decade with some slight declines, hitting 44.7% in 1980. More than half were working full time by 1987 and the number keeps rising. In 1990: 51.5%. WE PAY MORE FOR COVERAGE: The average annual employee contribution for health benefits is rising, according to an A. Foster Higgins & Co. survey. In 1989, individual coverage cost $276. That increased to $372 in 1990 and $420 in 1992. Family coverage was $828 in 1989, $1,032 in 1990 and $1,212 in 1991. DADS TAKE ON DIAPER DUTY: Men traveling with families appear to be taking on more parenting responsibilities. A reporter from Travel Weekly was surprised to see a diaper-changing table in the men's room of a restaurant at the Living History Farms attraction near Des Moines. "We felt that too many public facilities make diaper changing the woman's responsibility," says spokesman Steve Green. MORE MEN'S ROOMS HAVE TABLES: Linda Bair, author of "Traveler's Guide to Major U.S. Airports," estimates that 30% to 40% of airports nationwide now have diaper-changing stations in men's restrooms. They're "becoming part of the design criteria," according to architect Ann Tew. Tew has been working on the new international terminal scheduled to open in 1994 at Atlanta Hartsfield. PEPSI TURNS TO WATER: The bottled-water market, increasing steadily in recent years, has another player. Pepsi-Cola says it will enter the popular arena by marketing and distributing Avalon, a Canadian spring water, in the eastern USA. It plans to sell more than a million cases in 1.5-liter and 12-ounce bottles this year. Pepsi recently has added Ocean Spray juices and Lipton ready-to-drink teas to its menu. WHITE SOUTHERNERS EMBRACE GOP: White Southerners in 1988 were more likely to be Republicans than Democrats, according to American Demographics. In 1968, about 60% were Democrats while less than 30% were Republicans and about 15% were independents. GOP loyalty rose while the Democrats declined until they evened out in 1984. But in 1988, just over 40% claimed Democratic loyalty, while more than 50% embraced the GOP. YOUNGER FOLKS ARE POORER: Those under 25 saw more than a 10% drop in household median income between 1980 and 1990, while those 65 and older saw income rise by 20.9% in the same period, according to figures from the Census Bureau. Those ages 25 to 34 also saw a decline, of about 1.1% in household median income. People ages 55 to 64 saw a 4.3% increase; ages 45 to 54, a 2.2% increase; and 35 to 44, 2.8%. LONG SKIRTS SHOULD BE SOFT: Long skirts are undeniably the look for this season, according to fashion-watchers. But just length isn't enough to make a skirt stylish. Industry experts suggest that the best way to make the look timely is to make sure the skirt is of a soft fabric and relaxed-looking, thanks to a slit, a few buttons undone or flaring. The skirt should be paired with a fitted top for balance. SHEATH CAN BE UPDATED: The timeless and almost universally flattering sheath can easily be updated, reports the March issue of Glamour magazine. Try belting the dress, either under a jacket or all by itself. But check the back view for tugging and gathering if it's belted. Lined sheaths can minimize tugging. Prices can range from $60 on up. ACIDS IMPROVE AGING SKIN: There's a new anti-aging approach for skin, but it's not really new. Alpha-hydroxy acids can make skin look better, studies done by Temple University researchers in the '70s found. But skin care products with the acids found in citrus fruits, grapes, apples and sour milk were only available on a limited basis. Avon's launching its Anew Perfecting Complex for Face, with alpha-hydroxy acid. WORKERS ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE: The productivity of non-farm workers rose 0.3% last year after two years of decline, the Labor Department said Tuesday. The increase in productivity - worker output per hour - in the fourth quarter was raised to a 1.7% annual rate from the 1.1% first estimated. Increasing productivity is considered key to boosting the standard of living without increasing inflation. JUNK-BOND MUTUAL FUNDS POPULAR: Low interest rates on savings and soaring junk-bond prices have investors pouring money into junk-bond mutual funds. And now that the recession seems to be ending, the funds may be less risky. After collapsing in 1990, the high-risk, low-rated and unrated corporate bonds had a tremendous run last year. The average fund gained 36%, including interest and price appreciation. Trends & Marketing Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM