Poll: Women Strive To Find Balance

48% Say It's OK To Work And Raise Family, 33% Disagree

(CBS) 
HAS WOMEN’S MOVEMENT MADE YOUR LIFE BETTER? (Among women)

Yes
Now
65%

2005
69%

1999
48%

1997
43%

1983*
25%

No
Now
30%

2005
27%

1999
40%

1997
48%

1983*
65%

*New York Times Poll

Even though women say their lives have been made better due to the women’s movement, not many consider themselves feminists. Just 27 percent of women call themselves a feminist; 68 percent do not. These views have changed little over the years.

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A FEMINIST, OR NOT? (Among Women)

Yes
Now
27%

2005
24%

1999
20%

1997
26%

1992*
31%

No
Now
68%

2005
70%

1999
74%

1997
69%

1992*
63%

*Time/CNN Poll

Thirty-nine percent of women who are Democrats call themselves feminists, compared to just 8 percent of those who are Republicans. Although many appear to shy away from the feminist label, few women describe the word "feminist" as an insult. In this poll, 65 percent of women say "feminist" is a neutral term, 14 percent say it is an insult, and another 15 percent describe it as a compliment. In 1999, more women – 22 percent - considered calling someone a feminist an insult.