Final answer:
Educational attainment in the U.S. has risen, with bachelor's and master's degree holders increasing since 1970. Women have surpassed men in higher education enrollment and graduation rates, leading to more diverse workforces. Despite this progress, a gap in higher education persists among significant portions of the population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The trend of increasing numbers of men and women receiving bachelor's degrees indicates that education is a priority for many seeking to improve their material well-being. Despite nearly 88% of the U.S. population having a high school diploma in 2014, only 33.6% of those between 25-65 years old had a bachelor's degree, and a mere 7.4% had a master's degree.
By 2019, these figures rose slightly to 36% holding a bachelor's or higher and 13.5% having a master's or higher degree. This suggests that while educational attainment is on the rise, a considerable segment of the population may choose not to pursue higher education, possibly due to various socio-economic factors. Additionally, the gender gap in higher education has shown a remarkable shift, with women now enrolling in and graduating from college at higher rates than men.
This change has translated into increased opportunities for women, minorities, and immigrants to fill skilled positions traditionally occupied by men. While women's participation in the workforce and higher education has led to a decrease in the wage gap, there is still significant progress to be made in achieving equal representation in top-tier professional roles.