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Women in the Workforce - The Pay Gap


According to a report by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, men make more money in their lifetimes, even at the very beginning of their careers, in comparison with women.  In 2016, the weekly median difference between all men and women over 16 was $166.  While men’s salaries continue to go up during their 20’s through 60’s, women’s salaries show topping off in their 30’s and 40’s at about $200 less per week than men their same age.  Even after age 65, when both men and women’s salaries decline, the weekly salary of a woman still stays about $200 less than a man’s salary.  This is significant amount of money that can have an impact over a woman’s lifetime.  Two hundred dollars may not seem like much, but equals over $10,000 a year, and over $400,000 over a 40 year career (Women’s).  There are many reasons that these pay gaps exist.  Women are typically seen as the primary caregiver to children and over the domestic sphere. Many women who can afford to do so may choose to not work when their children are young.  This is one thing that can affect a woman’s pay during the time she is raising children, but can also have a lingering effect on her pay, due to stereotypes about women who take time off to raise their children by employers.  Some employers will view a woman with a child as a liability, as they will likely be the person that will need to stay home with a sick child.  Even women who do not have children yet or may not be interested in having children are forced to deal with hiring managers and decision makers that may decide not to hire or promote a woman who is in child bearing years.  Women are also less likely to select jobs that are outside the norm for their gender.  Often, this increases the pay gap, as historically male work positions are usually given higher pay.  Some women may choose a profession typically seen as female because they saw someone in that position growing up and chose that profession.  Some professions that are typically male may show hostility towards female workers.  Women have had to fight for the right to do some jobs.  One job that comes to mind is serving in the military, but there are many more. There are relatively few women leaders of large Fortune 500 companies.  Women have had trouble being seen as capable and competent to lead throughout much of history and we are still working on correcting the issue, one woman at a time.

Works Cited
"Women's and Men's Earnings by Age in 2016." United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 Aug. 2017, www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2017/womens-and-mens-earnings-by-age-in-2016.htm. Accessed 30 Sept. 2018.

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