The Wage Gap

In class this week, we discussed the gender inequities faced by women today.

On social media, we are often surrounded by people who tell us that men and women have reached equality in America. One of the most prominent arguments against this is the wage gap between men and women. According to the American Association of University Women, women who work full-time make up only 84% of what men earn per year. Some argue that this is because women choose lower-paying jobs, but this is not the case.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, women were only permitted to work in factories that paid little money. The smartest and most notable working women became teachers, a job that paid more than factory work, but still paid less than the typical man's job. This is often used as an example to explain the disproportionately small amount that teachers are paid today. 

Nursing, a now female-dominated job, used to be heavily male-dominated. Once women were allowed to become more active in the workforce, these "pink-collar" jobs began to pay less and less and did not keep up with inflation. The wages of doctors, lawyers, and engineers continued to rise while nurses were paid the same.

Therefore, it is evident that the gender pay gap does not exist because women choose higher-paying jobs, rather, women's jobs are lower-paying because they are female-dominated. This is not to say that this is the only reason for the gender pay gap. The Pew Research Center reports that 50% of Americans believe that women are treated differently than men in the workplace, possibly contributing to their lower wages. Education must be provided on this issue to foster a more equitable future for both men and women in America.