Gender Pay Gap Analysis
From the beginning, history has proven that women have constantly been classified as the weaker gender. In some biased opinions, women are often thought of as mothers and homemakers. Throughout history, women have had to fight for their rights; while men had theirs handed to them at birth. Such discrimination against women as it relates to the workplace, has led to laws being placed to stop discrimination based on gender. This paper is centered on the gender pay gap and gives some common perceptions about the issue. I attempt to explain the reasons behind the gender wage gap between men and women by briefly looking at the issue historically and explain some theories and studies as it relates to employers preference, education and career choices.
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But a recent study shows that the pay gap still persists even when women choose male dominated fields of study or work such as business, engineering, mathematics and medicine. The pay gap is greatest in biology, health and mathematic fields. Women earn more than men in history and social services professions only. Another study indicates that once female graduates enter into their careers, they are more likely to accept the compensation offered. In addition, research indicates that there is a big difference in the will to negotiate by gender. Studies show that females were less likely than men to engage in negotiations to improve upon the initial compensation offer (Bloomberg Law reports, 2013). “Only 7% of the female students attempted negotiation, compared to 57% of the male students. As noted by Bowles, Babcock and Lai, women’s reluctance to initiate negotiations, as compared to men, may be an “important and underexplored explanation” for the gender pay gap” (Bloomberg Law reports, 2013). This, in turn, leads to lower salaries’ as a result of …show more content…
Through surveying my peers and research I have found that many feel that salaries should be kept private. It seems that if all salaries were kept personal and amongst individuals then there wouldn’t be such a big issue with the wage gap. I personally disagree and dislike the fact that some employers have policies in place that refrain you from discussing salaries amongst other employees. I strongly feel that all should be paid fairly no matter ethnicity or
But a recent study shows that the pay gap still persists even when women choose male dominated fields of study or work such as business, engineering, mathematics and medicine. The pay gap is greatest in biology, health and mathematic fields. Women earn more than men in history and social services professions only. Another study indicates that once female graduates enter into their careers, they are more likely to accept the compensation offered. In addition, research indicates that there is a big difference in the will to negotiate by gender. Studies show that females were less likely than men to engage in negotiations to improve upon the initial compensation offer (Bloomberg Law reports, 2013). “Only 7% of the female students attempted negotiation, compared to 57% of the male students. As noted by Bowles, Babcock and Lai, women’s reluctance to initiate negotiations, as compared to men, may be an “important and underexplored explanation” for the gender pay gap” (Bloomberg Law reports, 2013). This, in turn, leads to lower salaries’ as a result of …show more content…
Through surveying my peers and research I have found that many feel that salaries should be kept private. It seems that if all salaries were kept personal and amongst individuals then there wouldn’t be such a big issue with the wage gap. I personally disagree and dislike the fact that some employers have policies in place that refrain you from discussing salaries amongst other employees. I strongly feel that all should be paid fairly no matter ethnicity or