When we try to remember 2017 (or more likely, try to forget it), there’s a list of names and places that immediately come to mind – Trump, Weinstein and Las Vegas, where the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history happened. But what were the broader trends of the year? Here we try to understand the context in which the headlines happened.
Wage inequality still persistent
In the US, the gender wage gap remains stubborn but so does the racial wage gap (which is much more frequently overlooked). Read more here.
In the US, guns have been more deadly than war
It can feel as though the gun debate is stuck on repeat while the number of people affected by gun violence just keeps on rising. Read more here.
The sexual harassment you didn’t hear about
Twenty-seventeen was the year that several sexual harassment allegations received widespread coverage. But those cases (most often accusing celebrities) are only the tip of the iceberg – most cases are never reported, let alone brought to justice. Read more here.
Transgender discrimination in the military
Trans activists became more prominent this year, because (or despite the fact that) Trump announced a ban – not yet enacted – on transgender individuals serving in the military. The context of that decision might surprise you – compared with the general population, transgender people in America are 2.3 times more likely to serve in the military. And they’re 8.7 times more likely to have attempted suicide at some point in their lives. Read more here.
Pet transport made headlines, but the trends varied by airline
After Simon the giant rabbit died on a United Airlines flight, there was renewed scrutiny of the company (which had already been criticised for dragging a passenger from a flight in April). I looked into DoT statistics which showed that 26 animals died while being transported on planes in 2016, a rate of 0.5 per 10,000 animals transported. It’s a rare occurrence but one where the probability varies by airlines. Read more here.
Terrorism remained relatively rare
In November, a terrorist incident in Manhattan resulted in eight people being killed and 12 wounded. The incident was shocking in its violence but also its location – the vast majority of fatalities happen outside of the west. Read more here.
Trump’s popularity didn’t waver much
Despite all this, despite everything that happened this year, Trump was just as popular in November 2017 as he was in November 2016. Read more here.
