Equal Pay Day Research Paper

“Equal play. Equal pay.” –U.S. Women’s National Team (Reiher). The gender pay gap is surprisingly still a large problem today. Not only in soccer, but in every sport women exert the most effort, yet they do not receive the credit. The U.S. Woman’s National Team should receive an equal amount of pay as the men’s team because they have won more titles, they are better soccer players, and they bring in more income.

As long as an American woman is putting in the same amount of hours with the same qualifications and experience in the same occupation as an American male, and yet taking home a wage that is any lower, she is not being treated fairly as an equal. Contrary to many arguments, it’s undeniable that a wage gap exists, and while there are various ideas as to the most probable cause, there is no reason why this gap should continue to go uncorrected or unchanged. Our government should take concrete steps to close the gender wage gap because it violates women’s rights and equality.

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was influential in creating a progressive environment which would contribute to creating a fairer world for all. The Act was instrumental in changing the thought process of Americans at the time, and is responsible for supporting equal pay in the workplace. Gender equality pay is an issue people have been fighting over for years, but when the Equal Pay Act of 1963 passed, it certainly aided in the fight for equality for all. (Salem Press Encyclopedia)

“Join the union, girls, and together say Equal Pay for Equal Work” -Susan B. Anthony. Countless women, even here in the U.S. have some sort of the wage gap. The wage gap is the difference between the median earnings of women relative to median earnings of men. In this case, women earn a significant amount less than men. Although the wage gap has gotten smaller over the years, the wage gap still has a long way to go. Women deserve better than just minimum earnings. Full time, working women should obtain the best promotions and benefits. Women that work just as tough and have the equivalent qualifications as men do still earn less, and that is just unacceptable. The wage gap should be abolished on behalf of women of color and their struggle, equal pay is a global problem, equal pay benefits employers and workers, and the wage gap accumulates over time.

According to statistics, there are disparities with pay in the workplace. Men are paid more in wages, comprehensive packages, and benefits than women who performed the same job responsibilities and roles in the workplace. The big question is why are women being unvalued? Since, this is a common practice in the workplace, is this fair to both genders and is this the most favorable outcome for the greatest number affected by this business practice? The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed to eliminate this type of discrimination based on sex with paying wages to employees, in such establishment at a rate less than the rate at which pays, wages to employees of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions.

Imagine what an extra 20%, or more, in your paycheck could do for you. Maybe it would be the difference between just scraping by and having a little discretionary income. Now, imagine being paid based on your own merit, and not some sliding scale which has historically favored men as the breadwinners of the family. Unfortunately, for most women, equal pay is still a dream. Today, as throughout history, there exists a gender pay gap where women are paid $0.79 to every dollar a man makes. Minority women make even less. Women, of course, have always known this gap exists, but they have had little power to change it.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is responsible for regulating and enforcing policies that must be met by students in order to maintain eligibility. The athletic directors of prosperous universities (across the country) need to devise a petition, and present it to the NCAA in hopes of an agreement. By doing so, they will take the beginning steps in creating fair methods of compensation among the student athlete body of the basketball programs. These authoritative figures will be creating an opportunity where they can help improve the current collegiate athletic system without adding pressure to the students –some of which is already created by the present NCAA policies.

The current Equal Pay Day, April 12, 2016, is a national reminder to bring attention to how far into a next year a woman must work to catch up to what a man earned the previous year. Unlike most recognized holidays, it is not a day of celebrating, but a day to bring recognition to the ongoing wage gap issues. One of the steps taken to better the wage gap is the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay act was signed on January 29, 2009 by president Obama, The law was named after a woman who found out that her employer was paying less than men do for the same job (Somanader).

One problem that Americans are facing is the inequality between men and women, whether it is in everyday life or in a professional atmosphere. One step that has been taken toward equality was introduced with the Equal Pay Act of 1963, signed by President John F. Kennedy. This law was the first affecting the amount of job opportunities available for women and allowing them to work in traditionally male dominated fields. On the outside, this would sound like a solution where nothing could possibly go wrong, but it is not.

If I were given the opportunity to change a policy, I would want to change the wage gap between men and women. Statistically, women make 79 percent of what a man makes, regardless of their education credentials. This percentage, however, varies amongst women of different ethnicities. African American women and Latinas earn 63 to 52 percent of what a white male would. Interestingly enough, in the workforce, the number of highly educated women are higher than men. This discrimination makes it harder for women to earn a high salary and make a living, especially if they are a single parent. This unequal pay differs throughout the country in different states. States like California have a lower wage gap at around 10 to 15 percent, and other states

Sommers does not believe that the unfair wage gap between men and women is authentic. Sommers assumes that there are many reasons explained the gap such as women’s decision on the type of work they do, their field of study and the time distribution for their families and the workplace. Women should not blame others for the lower pay. It is because they are less likely to take jobs that require a lot of effort and physical ability. According to an analysis from the U.S. Department of Labor, some reasons causing the wage gap is owing to the industry and occupation. During her career, a woman might have to take maternal leave which partly

The purpose of the A Fair Day Pay Act is to hold employers accountable for paying their employees even if they hide their asset. This new law lets the Labor Commissioner oversee if an examination is needed to determine if the employer is to be held accountable for any violations. The Labor Commissioner has the authority to put injunction on the employer assets and dived up their asset to pay the individuals they own money to (Worsinger, 2016).

If the United States is an equal country, then why are men and women still paid different salaries? The U.S. is said to be a country of freedom and equality, but the crucial part of every individual’s life, getting a job and working, is not equal. Men and women in America are separated by a long-existing wage gap. Though the gap may only be a few cents difference, over time, it adds up to a large amount of money. Education seems like a solution to the problem, but it does not help. Also, the gap can hurt young girl’s self-esteem as well as making it harder for single mothers to care for themselves and their children. To achieve a truly equal country, the pay gap

Many of these Americans have a set idea and mentality that blacks deserve less. As Borbely explained I would have to agree with him. I believe that in order for equal pay for both whites and blacks who have all worked the same should be treated equally. I have a good feeling that whites want to remain on top only so that they can have the power and self satisfying feel. That way they know that things go their way or no way at all. I want to believe that one day everyone will come to the realization that we are all the same and that it is just the shade of my skin that separates us. However, in reality whites will always feel that they have the upper hand for they are treated better and they are allowed to also get away with much more. From what I’ve seen in my experiences, whites are set up in life to succeed no matter what they do. If they fail, they will be seen as someone who’s tried hard but just needs a push. If they make a mistake then it’s okay because everyone makes mistakes. If they commit a crime, most times due to the corrupted system they are either let go or punished easily. As if it was to be a black person, then they will be treated harsher for they should know better; and are not allowed to make mistakes. It’s not okay for them to need assistance. Overall, society placed levels of tolerance and levels of expectations for everyone and for blacks it 's been set at an all time low preventing them from at times attempting to prove otherwise.

     “April third has been declared by Feminist and labor groups as ‘Equal Pay Day’ because it supposedly takes 93 calendar days for women’s wages to catch up to men’s.” 3 Many people believe that sex discrimination is the main reason for the pay gap. However, several factors must be taken into consideration.