Final answer:
In U.S. history, the general trend has been that women have progressively gained more opportunities and power, although challenges and a full equity are yet to be realized.
Step-by-step explanation:
Looking back over U.S. history, the general trend indicates that women have gained opportunities and power. Over time, women have challenged gender stratification and won gains in equal employment opportunities, education, and leadership roles. From the significant strides made by women in the sixties and seventies regarding employment and education, to the entry and rise of women in the workforce in the late twentieth century, where they began to close the gap in higher education attainment and income disparity, the movement has been towards greater equality, although challenges remain. The economic realm has been notably affected, with women increasingly participating in the labor force and making advancements in professional and educational fields previously dominated by men. Despite these gains, women still face wage gaps and are underrepresented in the highest positions of power, pointing to the ongoing nature of the struggle for gender equality.