Katie Couric's Notebook: Who Wears The Pants?

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Video:
Notebook: Women

It's a question couples are asked all the time: "Who wears the pants in your family?" A report out today from the Pew Research Center shows, increasingly, its women.
Forty-three percent say women make most decisions in their homes. Only 26 percent say men do.

It may also be women who have the final say on Election Day. For the past quarter century, women have voted in larger numbers than men – and experts say that will likely continue. The Obama and McCain campaigns know it, and both candidates are working hard to win the female vote, talking about issues traditionally important to women such as education and health care. Obama even started singing "I'm Every Woman" at a rally in Florida the other day.

With women influencing their husbands on big purchases and where to go on vacation ... might their sway extend all the way to the voting booth? The issue may not be who wears the pants, but the pantsuit.

And in case you missed my Notebook yesterday, you can watch it right here. Sorry, we've been just a little busy!

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by MrJanieWatkins June 22, 2010 12:52 AM EDT: Ms. Couric,
I would like to express how much I admire your work ma'am. I realize you have gone through some rough times from jealous women and weak men. I admire your relentless hard work through these tough times. You are a smart, strong beautiful women who deserves to be taken seriously. What man could "wear the pants" around you? Keep up the good work, keep wor'in on those "guns", You are truly a great inspiration to my beautiful wife and daughter, and other future female leaders.; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw September 28, 2008 4:43 AM EDT: Talent never has control of studio cc feed, but the William Morris Agency does.; Reply to this comment


by beefslady September 27, 2008 9:59 PM EDT: Katie,
I was appalled at your interview with Palin. The pursing of your lips, the head tilt, the tone. It was very clear that you are not a fan of her. I thought all journalists were to be unbiased.

During with Obama you acted like he was your best friend. Shame on you for not doing your job in a professional manner.
viki; Reply to this comment


by nettel1 September 27, 2008 9:04 AM EDT: I think men just let women make the decision because we (men) know it will make them happy. "And if mama ain''t happy the home ain''t happy." We all want a happy home right?; Reply to this comment


by mclelo60 September 27, 2008 2:48 AM EDT: You have changed my view about journalism. I hope you keep asking those questions. God bless the woman in you.

an observer.
lelocolon; Reply to this comment


by misfy September 27, 2008 1:25 AM EDT: Talent never has control of cc studio feed.; Reply to this comment


by shylove2 September 26, 2008 10:03 PM EDT: Yep, women wear the pants, they are the nurtures, they know what a home is and what it takes to make one, it is a biological imperative and most of the men are supposed to work like dogs til they drop in their tracks, it''s their job too!
It''s no laughing matter our instincts are getting up into wars which are a kind of collective rape of one country by another. If we don''t get beyond some of the ancient instincts of fear and territoriality and nationalism, of conquering others women and of projecting our power in the world we as a species will soon destroy ourselves. And religious moral domination and repression of sexual desires and urges that cause countries to go out of control and use war as a sexual weapon with the norms of regular repressed society loosened and ignored for a time such as the Rape of Nanking or what''s happening now in Darfur. And if we don''t learn to use our conceptual mind for something other than allegiance to ideologies that seduce us into violating morals and principles in it''s service, we will cause our own extinction as a failed biological experiment.; Reply to this comment


by rightvswrong September 26, 2008 6:36 PM EDT: OK Katie - WHO WHERE THE PANTS AT THAT NETWORK??!!

and CBS NEWS MANAGMENT, and your Producer, and your Agent) -

You want the American public and Network News viewers to take YOU seriously?

You need to apologize and express your regret for Mr. Letterman hijacking your internal CBS closed feed in order to make jokes about a presidential candidate.

Would Uncle Walter have allowed such an egregious abuse of Network News for such clearly partisan political humor?
Would Ed Murrow?
Would Dan "What''s the frequency kenneth?; "National Guard forgery" Rather have permitted his video to be used to abuse the image of a presidential candidate?

I DON''T THINK SO!

Whether you or your producers or CBS News management support John McCain or not -- the use of his video image for abusive comedy was unprofessional, partisan and plain wrong!

You and CBS News owe us an apology....

(But I doubt you will...Once again your Nielsen #s will continue to drop...and you just don''t get it!)

regretfully,

RIGHTfromtWrong
Redding, CT; Reply to this comment


by pinkforpalin September 26, 2008 4:29 PM EDT: I can''t stand the statement about "pants wearing." I believe women should be women and men should be men. That is not to say that women are not capable of doing what men do but it is important to distinguish between women''s femine side and the masculine role of a male. That is what I admire about Sarah Palin. She is so feminine and yet strong enough to be Vice president. I did think Hillary Clinton had some good talking points, however; she always came off as too masculine to me. I can appreciate a female who is able to look feminine and yet, with confidence, handle the roles that are typically reserved for men. Other examples, Condi Rice, Elizabeth Dole and Nancy Pelosi. All great examples of fine ladies doing things men typically do and still appearing female.
Wearing the pants just sounds very overbearing to me. How about owning the skirt and capable of wearing the pants but opting not to. :); Reply to this comment