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Introduction
Since equal pay is such a pervasive social problem in todays society, some people may be unaware of or have a limited understanding of how it may affect them. Understanding why women still struggle to achieve equal opportunity in the workplace, particularly concerning equal pay, is crucial and a matter that needs further research (Bennedsen et al.). The primary causes of income disparity across women and men are discussed in this research paper. It also covers remedies to the issue, including measures already in place, such as rules and regulations, to eliminate or at least minimize the gender pay gap. Notably, feminists feel that enough has not been done regarding the gender pay gap. Feminists are in the best position to comprehend and articulate the causes of the problems women face in society, which include the gender pay gap.
Feminist Perspective
One of the most important factors that should not be ignored is that many women lack motivation because they believe there is nothing they can do about unfair treatment and must accept the situation. Another matter that requires discussion is the claim that closing the pay gap will improve many households economies and the standard of life. Since they must spend a great deal of time with their youngsters and on other activities, many women are forced to select lower-paying careers (Cheryan et al. 5). Many firms, however, do not consider this and are unwilling to offer women further advantages. Feminists believe gender norms cause inequality because they perceive women as inferior to males. A womans body is not biologically designed to produce a lot of muscular mass because they do not produce as much testosterone as males do, making them physically inferior to men. However, this scientific truth has led to a misconception that women are physically unable to engage in activities often reserved for men, like athletics. The gender role so says that women engage in passive and feminine behaviors.
Female college athletes and coaches, who are members of the Womens Sports Foundation, frequently encounter gender bias and discrimination since they are perceived as weak, incompetent individuals who cannot perform their jobs (Cheryan et al. 5). Although the gender roles that society has established make women appear weaker than males, the pressure to preserve a particular body image for women in the media also contributes to inequity. Given that they are shown alongside models with similar body types in various media, ladies are expected to appear in a specific way. Any woman who fails to conform to these body image standards is stigmatized for failing to maintain the kind of physical appearance that society considers desirable (Cheryan et al. 6). One sexual identity that is pervasive in society and promotes the oppression of women, according to feminism theory, is the requirement to remain at home and raise children.
It is a prevalent belief that in a household, the man works and handles all financial obligations, whereas the woman stays at home to take care of the kids, cook, and clean. Suppose a woman conforms to the gender stereotype. In that case, she can only engage in activities at home since she lacks a reliable income source to buy the items she desires (Cheryan et al. 7). They rely entirely on their spouse to take care of everything. This situation places a man in a position of authority and necessitates the wifes submission. Nevertheless, when a woman is seen working rather than staying at home, she is frequently discriminated against for not doing what society expects, which adds more to gender inequality.
It is important to emphasize that contrary to popular belief, gender composition has no impact on overall production, according to several studies. To ensure that the remuneration depends on their performance, it is essential to consider evaluation techniques in the employment industry (Misra et al. 1282). Businesses must be aware that several employees are not happy with such a circumstance because such stark discrepancies in salary may be perceived as highly unreasonable. Additionally, finding a solution is in their best interests because employee happiness is among the most significant elements influencing productivity.
Women have sought economic and social equality, privileges, and rights that men experience in society but that women do not entirely revel in when employed. Women have made unprecedented progress regarding their education, health, and employment rights (Browne et al. 561). Many nations today have ensured that men and women have equal legal rights in matters like marriage, inheritance, and property ownership (Browne et al. 561). Nevertheless, according to feminist scholars, when women want equality, mens lives serve as the normative benchmark for that equality. As a result, despite the worlds progress toward equality, there is still a desire for full equality that apply to males but are nonetheless inaccessible to women.
The United States Accountability Office reported that although women are more dynamic and educated than ever, their compensation has yet to catch up. More so than education, ethnicity, or social-economic status, gender is the most significant social factor affecting the pay disparity between women and men. The United States Accountability Office also discovered that the wage gap between men and women worsens as women age and in the situations of women with advanced education (Koskinen 38). It also impacts women at all income levels and across various occupations. While the gender wage disparity has been extensively researched, some people still disagree on what exactly is to blame, arguing that other factors also contribute to these inequalities. Several studies assert that around seven percent of the pay disparity needs to be explained.
Providing for their families is one of the womens biggest obstacles while trying to land a well-paying profession. Unsurprisingly, women are statistically much more likely than males to supply most of the childcare. This nature is a fact that society has long established. Such socialization, prioritizing women as primary caregivers, reflects conventional ideas about womens societal roles and upholds gender discrimination (Brueggemann). Given societys current situation, it is difficult for those who serve as caretakers for young children to meet the qualifications for the best-paying and most secure occupations.
The patriarchal society may harm womens aspirations and aims. It might be challenging for women to free themselves and try new or unique experiences in their professional careers because of societys stereotypes of a woman. Traditional female responsibilities and images may harm womens opinions of their skills and potential. Such harm also reduces self-efficacy (Brueggemann). Since women typically do home duties, hiring just individuals qualified for the position will result in a situation where males are hired for positions that pay well and offer significant benefits more frequently than women. The gender pay gap issue, typically attributed to the collection of family-focused policies, is frequently seen as the primary way welfare states lessen the tension between womens aspirations to gain financial freedom and their everyday family responsibilities.
Families with children benefit from these programs. Benefits like maternity leave, for instance, may prevent women from earning enough money by keeping them from the workforce for an excessive amount of time (Koskinen 38). Family-friendly policies include reduced working hours, long parental leaves, and a tolerant attitude regarding work-related absenteeism. Some professions may have more pronounced pro-women policies than others. As noted, these rules are meant to support women, yet they also prevent them from working.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the widening wage disparity is a serious issue that requires attention. It is crucial to remember that the government has instituted a wide range of programs that would aid in establishing pay equality; however, many difficulties could arise. The problem is that keeping tabs on every activity of a specific business is challenging, and pay secrecy frequently causes issues. Additionally, it may be crucial to educate the public about this issue. Businesses should be aware that they must prevent discrimination against their employees because of their ethnicity or gender.
Despite the legal adjustments that may ensure women receive equal pay, womens empowerment, in feminists opinion, is desperately needed. A crucial component that any woman should possess is the ability to negotiate her pay. All women in this nation and everywhere else where they might work should know their rights and have the chance to bargain for a higher wage. Eliminating the long-held stereotype of ladies and how they should behave at work is also necessary. Women must be urged to pursue their satisfaction as human beings rather than just as females, and traditional sex norms that sometimes harm rather than help women must be abandoned. Equal pay at the workplace is necessary to attain gender parity in other areas of society.
Works Cited
Bennedsen, Morten, et al. Do Firms Respond to Gender Pay Gap Transparency? The Journal of Finance, Web.
Browne, Jude. Resolving Gender Pay Inequality? Rationales, Enforcement and Policy. Journal of Social Policy, vol. 33, no. 4, 2004, pp. 55371, Web.
Brueggemann, John. Inequality in the United States: A Reader. Routledge, 2020.
Cheryan, Sapna, et al. Why are some STEM Fields More Gender Balanced than Others? Psychological Bulletin, vol. 143, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1-35, Web.
Koskinen, Paula. The Corporatist Regime, Welfare State Employment, and Gender Pay Inequity. NORA Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research, vol. 26, no. 1, 2018, pp. 3652, Web.
Misra, Joya, and Marta Murray-Close. The Gender Wage Gap in the United States and Cross Nationally. Sociology Compass, vol. 8, no. 11, 2014, pp. 128195, Web.
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