Sex desegregation of jobs: evaluation issues

Policies that desegregate jobs by sex affect two social issues: the absolute and relative increase in female poverty, and the equality of pay and occupation between men and women. The authors have limited experience in evaluating such policies, but more extensive experience with related programs and policies. Relevant literatures include evaluations of federal manpower programs; studies of sex desegregation of postsecondary schools; studies of race desegregation of schools, residential areas, and work groups; and small groups research on performances and the sex composition of task groups. The processes assessed by these literatures are analogues to those of desegregating jobs by sex. Although the same in some respects, they differ in others. Major desegregation policies require a system of evaluation studies. The system should yield information on what is happening, why, and with what expected and unexpected consequences. Studies should be conducted in accord with the natural implementation cycle of the policy and until the integration process reaches equilibrium.