UWLP Publishes Research on Poverty, Homelessness, Workforce, Family

Researchers from the Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline of public perceptions of the awareness, understanding, and attitudes regarding the challenges of Utah women and girls. The survey, conducted in the fall of 2023, focused on five areas: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and well-being, and the workplace.

The 80-question survey was based on existing literature and survey instruments, guidance from experts, and baseline data needed by leaders of A Bolder Way Forward (BWF). This new initiative invites Utahns to break down the barriers that keep women and girls from thriving.

In the coming months, a total of 19 research summaries are being published to provide Utah leaders and residents with insights into Utahns’ current perceptions. Ten have now been released.

The UWLP collected data from Oct. 24 to Nov. 30, 2023, with 3,505 Utahns ages 18 and older participating Today, UWLP is releasing the following research summaries today: Poverty & Homelessness, Workforce Development, and Home & Family. The following are highlights of the research summaries that will be used to set goals and metrics for a BWF.

Poverty & Homelessness

Most Utahns understand that the reasons people experience poverty and homelessness are often beyond their own choices. There is some hesitancy in Utahns not understanding meaningful remedies that can help reduce poverty and homelessness.

Survey results included:

• 58.6% disagreed the poverty in Utah is a result of their own choices.
• 82.3% disagreed at some level that homelessness in Utah is the result of their own choices.
• 28.6% believed there is nothing they could do about poverty and homelessness in their communities, which another about 25% were not sure.
• 91.9% of the combined samples agreed that home is the first step toward positioning children and families for opportunities to thrive and plan for the future.

“Both poverty and homelessness are daily realities for thousands of Utah women and their families," said Dr. Susan R. Madsen, director of UWLP and author of the research summaries. "Helping Utahns better understand these challenges can help generate positive change. It is clear to Utahns that children’s experiences in the home are the most important influence for the future lives.”

Workforce Development

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau, women in Utah comprise 44.2% of the state workforce. Because of this, Utah must focus on identifying, creating, and clearing pathways for women into better jobs.

Survey results indicated the following:

• Most agreed there are still a significant number of Utahns who need better access to information and support to attain a quality job.
• 65.8% strongly agreed that they are currently employable within the next 12-24 months.
• 45.1% of a representative sample (N=650) of the respondents disagreed at some level that their current circumstances allowed them to maintain successful employment over the next five years.
• In the same representative sample of participants, 64.2% agreed they can find successful employment in Utah that works for them and their family.

“Women who have been out of the workforce for many years are not confident they know how to access resources and support to earn a quality job," said Madsen.

Home & Family

There is little available data that helps Utahns understand various elements of home and family dynamics such as relational power dynamics, caregiving responsibilities, domestic and emotional labor, communication challenges, differing financial habits, and sexual satisfaction. This survey provides some additional insight.

 

Findings include:

• 79.9% of respondents (men and women) either agreed or strongly agreed that they have an equal voice in decision making within their home.
• Only 26% strongly agreed that the load of domestic labor is shared equitably within their home, with women agreeing less.
• 56.0% agreed the load of caregiving is shared equitably within their home, with women having lower agreement.
• 46.4% strongly agreed that their own sexual satisfaction is as equally important as their partner’s satisfaction, with women agreeing slightly more.

Susan Madsen said, “These findings offer important data as we consider ways to help more women thrive in their homes and families. Home and family settings are very different for each woman, and supporting her informed choices in critical to thriving conversations.”

Conclusion

For the eighth year in a row, WalletHub has named Utah as the worst state in the nation for women’s equality. Its recent ranking of the Best and Worst States for Women has Utah ranked at 35. The overarching of A Bolder Way Forward is to help more Utah girls, women, and families thrive. “When we strengthen the impact of Utah girls and women, we strengthen everyone,” said Madsen.

View the full research summaries here.