preview

Examples Of Unequal Pay For Equal Work

Decent Essays

Unequal Pay For Equal Work: The Wage Gap in America Sexism and gender-based discrimination in the workplace are rampant in America. Although the issue of women's rights' in the United States has advanced tremendously in the last few decades, the wage gap still exists. The term "occupational segregation" refers to the gender disparities in various occupations. Although many women have made significant progress in the last few decades by moving into occupations previously held exclusively by men, many industries have experienced few advances in the gender integration of work ("Pay Equity & Discrimination"). For example, occupations like construction are still male-dominated and have made no progress in the last 40 years. It is integral to Americas …show more content…

In order to create equality amongst men and women, the wage gap must first be eradicated. Gender-based discrimination in hiring, pay, and promotion exists, despite being illegal. President John F. Kennedy, a firm believer in gender equality, signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963. This act made it illegal to pay men and women working in the same place different salaries for similar work. Even though this law is still in effect today, the wage gap continues to exist. Congress has considered and failed to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act several times. This act would benefit working women by a stricter enforcement of the Equal Pay Act and a prohibition to sex discrimination (Rios). Passing this act would ensure pay equality for women and decrease discrimination in hiring and promotions. A 2010 study conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that women earn more than men in only 4 out of 111 occupations (where data is present for comparisons) ("A Socialist Feminist Analysis of the Gender Pay Gap"). Typically jobs predominantly held by women pay less on average than jobs predominantly held by men. Women earn more college and graduate degrees than men, yet they are still paid less. If America continues to move at the same slow rate it currently is, pay equality will be reached in 2059, 44 years from now ("Pay Equity &

Get Access