Written by Salary.com Staff
February 19, 2024
It's the 21st century, but women still earn less than men. The gender pay gap is real, but why does it persist? It's important to recognize that it’s not just because of women’s choices; discrimination and a lack of opportunities exist. To understand the full picture behind this issue, this article will dig into and explain why women earn less than men.
One major factor driving the gender pay gap is occupational segregation. This is the tendency for men and women to work in different industries and job roles.
Occupational segregation limits women's earning potential. With more integration and equality in the workforce, the gender pay gap can narrow.
Society usually tells men and women what jobs they should do, which affects the careers they choose. Some jobs get linked to a particular gender, causing people to stick to certain types of work. This gender-based separation of jobs can lead to unfair pay differences. Biases view women's work in certain roles as less important, resulting in lower pay for them.
Societal expectations about gender roles and biases start at a young age, influencing subjects and career choices. Countering these norms through education and policies can help narrow the pay gap over time.
In the U.S., when new mothers take long, unpaid leaves after childbirth, it affects women more than men. This can make it harder for women to grow in their careers and earn as much money over their lifetime. Mothers tend to earn less than women without children due to several factors.
Motherhood is a blessing. But it can greatly affect the careers of most women. Policies that promote equal pay can help stop this curse.
Women often choose college majors and careers that pay less than fields dominated by men. Women receive almost 60% of all bachelor's degrees, yet they tend to concentrate on lower-paying fields. This includes education, social services, arts, and humanities. Men often pursue higher-earning majors like engineering, math, physical sciences, and business. These choices set women on a lower earnings trajectory.
Few women pursue careers in high-paying fields. This includes computer programming, aerospace engineering, and financial analysis. Societal gender norms and expectations may steer women away from male-dominated, high-paying jobs. The lack of female role models in different fields is another factor. Providing girls with early exposure to diverse career options can help close the gender wage gap over time.
Women are less likely to negotiate salaries, raises, and promotions. This contributes to lower pay compared to men.
Negotiation can help women improve their earnings. When women negotiate, they achieve results like men. Building confidence and overcoming gender norms is key.
Different factors affect women's earnings. Although things are getting better, the gender pay gap persists. To fix this, people must change how they think about work and family. Everyone can help by supporting equal pay policies and women in leadership.
Companies must check how much they pay everyone and be more open about it. They should also make it easier for people to balance work and family. Making a world where the gender pay gap does not exist won't be easy, but it can be achieved if everyone keeps working at it.
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