The Gender Pay Gap In The United States

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In this paper I will first explain what gender gap is. Next I will provide examples of the gender gap with some charts. These examples are from class readings, videos and discussions. Finally, I will explain what can be done to minimize the gender gap. What is gender gap? The gender gap refers to the difference between men and women in the way they experience the world. There are gaps in voting patterns, crime and so on. But the most significant aspect of the gender gap is pay and income. This is called the gender pay gap. The gender pay gap is the difference between male and female earnings expressed as a percentage of male earnings. It is defined as the average difference between men and women’s hourly earnings. There is a debate as…show more content…
If it is a result of implicit discrimination due to lifestyle choices, then women’s lower earnings result from the fact that women take more time off when having children or choose to work fewer hours. If it is explicit discrimination, then the gender pay gap is a result of stereotypical beliefs. There is a debate as to what extent this is the result of gender differences, implicit discrimination due to lifestyle choices, or because of explicit discrimination. If it is a result of gender differences, then the pay gap is not a problem; men are simply better equipped to perform more valuable work than women. If it is a result of implicit discrimination due to lifestyle choices, then women's lower earnings result from the fact that women typically take more time off when having children or choose to work fewer hours. If it is explicit discrimination, then the pay gap is a result of stereotypical beliefs, conscious or unconscious, from those who hire and set salaries.This graph depicts the female to male earnings ratio, median yearly earnings among full time. Some other examples of the gender gap are: Women who work part time actually earn more than men who work part…show more content…
The Congress should raise minimum wage. The government should increase childcare support. Finally, occupational segregation should be ended. About two-thirds of all workers making the minimum wage are women, and they’re also about two-thirds of those in tipped occupations that often pay a base rate far below that. Raising that wage could mean a raise for millions of workers. Childcare support shows that a lack of access or ability to afford childcare can be one of the most significant barriers to getting a job and staying in it. But if government fully funded childcare programs, mother’s overall employment would increase. By getting women to brave discrimination and socialization to take these jobs, and getting these employers to reach out to women, and getting more men into low-pay service jobs, and getting women the training and education they need for male-heavy jobs should all be a pretty easy to accomplish. Works Cited 50 Years After the Equal Pay Act, The Gender Gap Persists: http://www.npr.org/2013/06/10/189280329/50-years-after-the-equal-pay-act-gender-wage-gap-endures 10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Gender Gap: http://healthland.time.com/2013/11/11/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-gender-gap/ Freakonomics: Women are not Men: Gender Gap Program on NPR: http://www.wnyc.org/story/301155-freakonomics-radio-women-are-not-men/ The Man Box: Tony Porter: A Call to Men, video on men and masculinity: http://www.ted.com/talks/tony_porter_a_call_to_men.html

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