This paper on sexual inequalities and socioeconomic achievement in the U.S. addresses the question of change in the processes of socioeconomic allocation for men and women during the period 1962-73. Data comparing married spouse-present men and their wives are drawn from an analysis of the 1962 socioeconomic stratification study, "Occupational Changes in a Generation," and its subsequent 1975 replication. An examination of occupation, education, and earnings showed socioeconomic improvements for both men and women. Women were found to have attained more schooling, but their achievements appeared less associated with the circumstances of their families or origin than did those of men. Although little evidence of inequality of opportunity by sex for educational and occupational attainments between 1962 and 1973 was found, equality of economic opportunity for women did not follow this pattern, as the process of earning attainment was found to be sharply different for the sexes, with men deriving greater benefits from family origins, education, and occupational standing. Earning returns to education were larger for both sexes. The notion of a declining socioeconomic importance of schooling was not supported by the data. These increases in the occupational and economic returns to schooling are said to support the notion that change is in the direction of the meritocracy, while the relative bearing of education versus family factors is said to be shifting to universalism. (Author/AM)