The advances women have made in the past decade have created the myth that women have achieved equal opportunity in the job market. In reality, the opposite is true. The current economic status of women demonstrates the need for strict enforcement of equal opportunity laws. Department of Labor data indicate that the wage gap between men and women is not narrowing. Despite popular concepts to the contrary, most women are not working to earn extras. Furthermore, men and women doing the same type of work do not earn the same pay. Also many believe the myths that women now have access to all types of jobs, earn less because they do not stay in the job market, and lack the education needed to get ahead. Analysis of Department of Labor statistics also reveals that minority women are still the victims of double discrimination. Finally, examination of current unemployment patterns proves that the large influx of women into the labor force is not responsible for high unemployment. Rather, current male unemployment rates are caused by reductions in male-dominated blue collar jobs, especially in manufacturing and construction. Under the Reagan administration, new agency policies and regulatory proposals have seriously undermined equal opportunity enforcement efforts. If women are ever to achieve equality at work, the national commitment to equal opportunity must be reaffirmed. (MN)