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 Fri, Apr 24 1992 Date: Fri, 24 Apr 92 05:26:46 EDT Message-ID: 04-24 0000 DECISIONLINE: Trends & Marketing USA TODAY Update April 24-26, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network WHITE MEN WANT FAIR SHARE: In offices and factories across the country, the complaints from some white men are hitting a peak: They can't get hired, they can't get a raise, they can't get on the fast track; women and minorities are getting all the breaks. But studies show that 20 years after affirmative action, women still hold fewer than 5% of senior management jobs; minorities, less than 1%; both groups earn less. (For more, see special Men package below.) BLACK WOMEN OUTPACE BLACK MEN: Black women in rural areas of Southern states outpaced black men in getting better jobs during the past decade, according to a not-yet-released study for the Economic Research Service. The study found black women shifting from domestic and janitorial jobs during the 1980s into white- and blue-collar jobs. At the same time white women shifted from blue-collar to white-collar and service jobs. BEGINNERS WON'T CHANGE MARKET: The recent surge of first-time buyers isn't likely to reverse the USA's declining rate of home ownership, industry experts say. Soft prices and low mortgage rates are sending in first-timers. They accounted for nearly 45% of all sales last year, according to Chicago Title & Trust. But the upswing won't change longer-term trends that have put home ownership out of reach for many. FEWER YOUNG PEOPLE OWN HOMES: The outlook isn't bright. In 1973, more than 23% of households headed by adults under age 25 owned homes. Today, it's down to 15%. Home prices are down, but the typical starter home sells for about 13% more than in 1973. Mortgage rates are higher than in the early '70s. And the benefits of the mortgage interest deduction are less since many young adults don't itemize tax deductions. KRISS KROSS INSIDE OUT: If young adolescents suddenly start wearing their clothes backwards, there's a reason. Seventh-grade pop duo Kriss Kross, with a single at No. 1 on the pop charts and a debut album, "Totally Krossed Out," at No. 2 next week, wear their duds in reverse. That was dreamed up by 19-year-old producer Jermain Dupri and it's spreading like crabgrass. NEW YORKER KIND TO THE EARTH: The New Yorker now is on the list of Earth-friendly magazines. The magazine's April 20 issue was the first one delivered without the paper wrapper that's been used for many years. Even though the paper cover was recyclable, the magazine estimated 300 tons of wrappers ended up in landfills. President Steve Florio says The New Yorker has a longstanding concern about the environment. NO-GUILT PLASTIC: Throwaway plastic bottles, bags and diaper liners could be the fruit of research at two U.S. universities. Scientists have bio-genetically engineered a green plant that makes biodegradable plastic. It decays without harming the environment. Future plastic plants could be a new cash crop for farmers. Researchers hope to produce plants whose "fruit" would be lumps of plastic. MOVEMENT COMES TO WORK: The men's movement represented by Robert Bly in the 1990 best-seller "Iron John" is attempting to redefine the world of work. Leaders mourn the loss of families they never got to know because their lives were centered at work. Men are isolated and lonely, they say. Diversity consultant Anthony Ipsaro says men should be encouraged to transfer energy to their families. PERMS HAVE LOOSENED UP: Perms took it on the chin in the days when they were too frizzy, wild and unpredictable, says the May issue of Glamour. But these days a better understanding of the chemical processes used plus spot perms, root perms and body waves have made things better. Says Michael Gordon of Bumble + Bumble in New York: "Bigger rods (for loose waves) have revolutionized perms." SPECIAL PACKAGE ON MEN: WHITE MEN FACE DISCRIMINATION: Although women hold fewer than 5% of senior management jobs and minorities less than 1%, and both groups earn less than $1 for every dollar a white man earns, the push by employers to correct the imbalance has caused an uproar against white men. They're "being discriminated against," says travel agency owner Gordon Fineberg. "It's illegal, and it should be challenged." MEN NOT AT THE TOP: White men dominate top management, but many never make it that far. The vast majority languish in middle management, precisely where women and minorities have made the most progress. Many of the men complaining are sympathetic to the cause of affirmative action, and feel strongly they have always treated people fairly, regardless of race or sex. EVERYONE IS INSECURE: Many consultants who work with companies to develop a more diverse workforce say it's no coincidence white men are speaking out now. Middle management spots are disappearing at a time baby boomers are scrambling to get them. And the competition is more fierce than ever because women and minorities have known for years they have to work twice as hard as their white male colleagues. DON'T BEND OVER BACKWARDS: Diversity consultant Marilyn Loden, co-author of "Workforce America: Managing Employee Diversity as a Vital Resource," says it's dangerous for a company to bend over backward to accommodate white men. Loden has worked with companies where white men thought of setting up formal committees. But it hasn't happened, she says. "It's redundant." (End of package.) 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