Culture Watch

A working paper entitled “Millennial Marriage: How Much Does Economic Security Matter to Marriage Rates of Young Adults” finds that socio-economic indicators associated with labor force participation, wages, poverty and housing all relate to marriage rates for young adults ages 18 to 34. Specifically, full-time employment, median annual wages for all types of workers, and owning a home were associated with higher marriage rates. more »

It is now illegal for employers to ask job applicants about their previous salary in at least eight states and eight counties and cities. The laws and ordinances passed in the last two years are aimed at narrowing the persistent pay gap between men and women. A prospective employer who knows your current salary can offer you a pay bump based on that figure – or keep your new salary low. If you’re a woman, you likely make less in your current job than a male recruit with the same skills and experience. more »

A new report from the Innovation Group London and J. Walter Thompson explores the lifestyles and attitudes of British women aged between 53 and 72. Over two thirds (69%) of 'Elastic' women think the fashion industry ignores people their age while 82% think that the clothes that are aimed at them are “way too old-fashioned.” Elastic women are tired of negative stereotypes about them when it comes to technology: 73% say they hate the way their generation is patronised when it comes to tech while 78% express no desire to buy technology that is especially designed for older people. It’s time for brands to forget the digital myth – these women were there in tech’s infancy. more »

The 1950s was a decade of change. The Second World War was over, and American influence was sweeping across the Nordic region. There was more money around, more people were in work, and in terms of fashion the range of ready-made clothes was ever-increasing. Many women were also good at sewing, and shops and women’s magazines had plenty of patterns to choose from. The My 1950s exhibition gives visitors an insight into every level of clothing, from everyday wear to the finest finery, worn by everyone from wealthy big-city fashionistas to women in rural areas. more »