Take a look around your campus and in your lecture halls and you'll notice a strange new phenomenon-the number of women you see is generally larger than the number of men? What's happening?

It used to be when we talked about the "Gender Gap" on college campuses, we were referring to the fact that men were more likely to enroll and graduate from college than women. Today, however, this is no longer the case. Higher education agencies report the enrollments on most college campuses this last year show that women generally made up about 51 percent (or greater on some campuses) of the total enrollment.

Is this an issue? That's a very good question about which there is little agreement. Some researchers believe that this shift in college enrollments may be a result of men having a greater ability to find higher paying jobs in a growing economy-even without a degree. Others feel that this shift is an indicator that young men aren't adequately informed about or prepared to deal with changes in the global economy. The fact is, however, that fewer young men are accessing higher education and even fewer men are earning degrees.

How, or do we, address this? Parents should absolutely address this issue with their sons (and daughters, too)! Why? Because the majority of jobs available now and in the future will require at least some training beyond high school.

How? First, begin discussions of the importance of education and its relationship to future employment early. Second, provide your student with real-life examples of career opportunities that may be accessed both with and without post-secondary education. Third, help students research and understand current and future employment trends. Fourth, and most importantly, encourage students to explore the vast range of higher education opportunities available to them.

Whether your student opts for vocational/technical training or a four-year (or higher) degree, education beyond high school will serve him/her very well in the future by increasing both his/her employment opportunities and potential future earnings.

Interested in reading more about the ongoing gender gap in our schools? Check out Reed and Rae's Creating Gender Fair Schools, Classrooms and Colleges from Lucky Duck Publishing. Stay connected with the gender issues on campus.

Until next time!

Lynn Byrne

Preparing for college admissions? Trying to find direction? Need a little help with the planning? Check out my college planning series:

• College Planning Made Easy--the planning and preparation workbook for the take charge, college-bound student,
  
• Paying for College Made Easy--a college financing guide designed to assist students and families in preparing and planning for higher education expenses; and
  
• The Great Scholarship Search--my guide for students and parents researching and applying for scholarship funding.