This is an essay of the common misconceptions in society that are often perpetuated by feminist and those of the like. A persuasive intended speech for a debate class that over-views the statement that, "women earn 77 cents to the dollar that a man earns." This is however false, and exaggerated. One must look at this in an economic sense to decipher how this statistic is given.
Table of Contents
- The Wage Gap: Highly Exaggerated
- Earned vs. Paid
- The Math
- Negotiable Skills & Maternity Leave
- U.S. Department of Labor Research
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay argues that the commonly cited "wage gap" of 78 cents to the dollar for women compared to men is an exaggeration based on faulty calculations and ignores important factors. The author aims to dispel this misconception by analyzing various research findings and highlighting the importance of considering factors beyond simple pay comparisons.
- The difference between "earned" and "paid" wages
- The influence of factors like occupation, hours worked, and education on earnings
- The role of negotiable skills and maternity leave in affecting women's earnings
- The importance of considering research findings from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Labor
- The economic rationale for employers to hire women if they were truly significantly cheaper
Chapter Summaries
- The essay begins by introducing the concept of the wage gap and challenging the notion that it is a significant issue.
- The author clarifies the difference between "earned" and "paid" wages, emphasizing that being paid less than a man for the same work is illegal but earning less is not.
- The essay then examines the mathematical calculations used to support the wage gap argument, highlighting the flaws in assuming that a simple pay comparison accurately reflects the reality of earnings.
- The author explores additional factors that contribute to the earnings difference between men and women, such as negotiable skills and the impact of maternity leave.
- The essay concludes by presenting findings from a research paper conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, which supports the author's claim that the wage gap is significantly smaller than commonly believed.
Keywords
This essay focuses on the "wage gap," "gender pay gap," "earnings disparity," "women's earnings," "men's earnings," "negotiable skills," "maternity leave," "research findings," and "U.S. Department of Labor."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the "77 cents to the dollar" wage gap statistic accurate?
The essay argues that this figure is an exaggeration and a common misconception, as it often fails to account for economic variables like occupation and hours worked.
What is the difference between "earned" and "paid" wages?
The author emphasizes that being paid less for the same work is illegal, but "earning" less overall due to life choices, such as field of study or maternity leave, is a different economic reality.
How does maternity leave affect women's earnings?
The essay highlights maternity leave as a significant factor that impacts career progression and long-term earnings, contributing to the statistical disparity.
What does the U.S. Department of Labor research say about the wage gap?
The author cites findings from the U.S. Department of Labor suggesting that when all relevant factors are considered, the actual gap is significantly smaller than commonly believed.
Do negotiable skills play a role in the gender pay gap?
Yes, the essay discusses how negotiation skills and different approaches to salary discussions can influence the final compensation of men and women.
- Quote paper
- Ryan McHale (Author), 2015, An Analysis of the Wage Gap Between Men and Women in the USA, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/295261
