U.S. men are still 2.1 million jobs short of pre-recession levels even as women have regained all the jobs lost before the economic collapse.

Some economists have dubbed the gender schism the “man-cession” and the “she-covery.”

The latest jobs report reveals that male unemployment is nearly one percent higher than for women.

Analysts say the economic hit to industries like construction and manufacturing, which tend to hire more men than women, is helping drive the gender employment gap.

Last month, 76.2 million men were employed. In December 2007, 78.3 million had jobs.

Fewer American women have or are seeking jobs. Last month’s labor force participation rate for women was 57.3% compared to 59.4% in December 2007.

Today, a record 90,473,000 people are no longer in the U.S. labor force.