Gender Pay Gap Analysis

This essay, published by The New York Times and written by the journalist Claire Cain Miller, establishes a counter argument for the position that many people have taken on the issue of the gender pay gap. Miller and Harvard labor economist, Claudia Goldin, established the view that the pay gap is because of gender and not because of comparisons between the different jobs that males and females take. Being informed is essential to finding solutions for an issue and in this essay Miller informs her audience and shows how information can lead to meaningful solutions. “Occupations that most value long hours, face time at the office and being on call-like business, law and surgery – tend to have the widest pay gap.” Miller establishes in what occupations
Miller relies greatly upon allusions to past failures in the passing of the equal pay bill, the analysis of different occupations, and logos and ethos introduced by Claudia Goldin to create a comprehensive argument. Past events often shape how we respond to current issues and events, including the gender pay gap. Allusions to past movements for or against the equal pay bill and to the beliefs of government organizations, primarily opposing the bill displays that help is needed to push the cause for women. This allusion also makes use of pathos, which causes women to feel sympathy or passion towards the cause. Making connections between different parts of our lives creates for deeper and more meaningful emotions to arise because this concept initiates the use of pathos. The examples provided throughout the analysis of the gender wage gap among different occupations including; pharmacists, doctors, lawyers, and financial specialists, create for a real world application of the issue and brings the situation home for many people, therefore helping them to create meaningful connections. The use of credible sources in an essay makes a substantial difference, as it did in this essay by cementing and supporting critical ideas. The use of a credible source such as, Claudia Goldin, a Harvard University labor economist, to explain data, trends, background information, and to provide the ability to strongly counter other arguments were essential in the establishment of ethos and logos throughout this essay. The use of a credible source created a sense of trust between the audience and the reader, therefore leading to a strong argument created by Miller. With the help of Goldin, Miller established a strong central argument for the pay gap being connected to gender and takes a strong stance that does not back down, thanks to the allusions