To call that ranking an "equality" survey is misleading. It measures average salary, executive positions, political office, and educational attainment. But that proves nothing on whether women are treated equally or given equal rights or are treated fairly in the workplace.
The fact is, many, many LDS women choose to be full time mothers and homemakers. There are much fewer women in the workforce because of this. LDS women are much less likely to work full time and they choose not to take on demanding positions because it has been their dream to raise a family and be with their kids. This also results in many choosing to do less schooling. If your dream is to raise a family, getting your master's degree is probably not going to be necessary for that. Especially if you are already started on that family before you finish your undergrad.
In other words, using the criteria of this survey, the only way to make women more "equal" in Utah, would be to force them to do things they don't want to do.
Now, there might be issues in the workplace where women are not treated well or where they are paid less for the same job (to a worse degree than the rest of the U.S.) but nothing in that survey indicates that.
My point in referencing isn't to judge whether the situation is good, bad, or indifferent.
And it may well be that women there are making these choices freely--I'm not in any position to judge.
But the point is that the culture in Utah is driven in large measure by the significant Mormon influence. Indeed, women may well be choosing to stay home because of that Mormon influence.
All fine and good--if that's what people want to do, more power to them--I'm not going to judge.
But this culture does seep out into the broader Utah culture, and denying that (as the post I was originally responding to does), is making an error.
If more women would prefer to stay home and raise children, does that mean they are not equal? I do not think so. They are doing the more noble thing. And apparently, a much higher percentage of women than men, want to stay home.
The fact is, many, many LDS women choose to be full time mothers and homemakers. There are much fewer women in the workforce because of this. LDS women are much less likely to work full time and they choose not to take on demanding positions because it has been their dream to raise a family and be with their kids. This also results in many choosing to do less schooling. If your dream is to raise a family, getting your master's degree is probably not going to be necessary for that. Especially if you are already started on that family before you finish your undergrad.
In other words, using the criteria of this survey, the only way to make women more "equal" in Utah, would be to force them to do things they don't want to do.
Now, there might be issues in the workplace where women are not treated well or where they are paid less for the same job (to a worse degree than the rest of the U.S.) but nothing in that survey indicates that.