Introduction
One of the most important challenges relating to gender inequality in the workplace is the issue of salary disparities between men and women. The gender pay gap still exists in the United States, with women being paid much less than their male coworkers for performing the same tasks. According to a New York Times article by Nelson D. Schwartz (2014), this gender gap has widened significantly over the past decade, which has served to further entrench gender oppression in U.S. workplaces.
The Gender Wage Gap Analysis
The article evaluated Census Bureau data that suggested that the gender wage gap has grown since 2009. In 2009, a woman earning full-time median wages made 81 cents for every dollar made by a man, compared to 80.7 cents in 2019 (Rampell, 2009). This means women have lost thrust in the wage race during the previous decade. That is not only a result of their existing wages but also as their male counterparts have been able to increase their salaries more swiftly during this time.
In her analysis, Schwartz connects the widening wage disparity to the collapse of negotiating collectively and labor unions, making it harder for workers to negotiate better wages. She also pointed to other underlying issues, such as that women are more likely to work in low-wage sectors and face other issues like family leave, which contributes to lower wages. She also notes that specific industries traditionally seen as male-dominated—such as technology and finance—tend to pay higher wages than those traditionally seen as female-dominated—such as nursing and education.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article promotes attention to the issue of the gender wage gap and points out the need for greater awareness and discussion about the issue. Since job discrimination and uneven opportunities constitute a significant barrier to women’s economic progress, gender wage gaps must be addressed. The U.S. economy must address this issue and create greater equivalent prospects for all workers, irrespective of gender.
References
Rampell, C. (2009). The Gender Wage Gap, State by State. Economix Blog. Web.
Schwartz, N. (2014). Nelson D. Schwartz – Economix blog – The New York Times. Web.