In a nation that advertises equality for all, it's hard to believe that women are still discriminated against in the workplace. Granted progress has been made over the last few decades, as feminism rages through the media. However, women who work full-time, year-round are currently making, on average, 78 cents to every man's dollar. That doesn't sound like equality to me. I'm not trying to lead into some well-written, overly passionate article about women's rights, in which I would tie in something about how women shouldn't shave their legs, but I do think that full equality between men and women is something to talk about and something to strive towards.
I just want to keep it short and to the point, so here are some statistics and points to hopefully convince you that the wage gap affects everyone, and that you should care about the 78 percent.
"But 78 percent is not a huge difference."
You're right, it isn't. But first of all, there shouldn't be a difference in how men and women in the same career field, with the same education, are paid annually. And also, 78 percent adds up. If women make 78 cents to every man's dollar, then women lose $10,876 a year to the wage gap. That's more than enough money to pay rent and utilities for a year, or feed a household of four for a year and a half with cash to spare.
"But women choose different jobs than men."
This isn't entirely true. In fact, even when men and women are in the same field, the wage gap persists. For example, female surgeons earn an average of $756 less a week than their male counterparts. That's a difference of about $40,000 a year.
"But isn't there already a law to prevent this discrimination?"
In 1963, JFK signed the Equal Pay Act at a time when women only made 59 cents to every man's dollar. It's been over 50 years, and we haven't even come halfway to closing the wage gap between men and women.
"But if I'm not a woman in the workplace, this doesn't even affect me."
That is also not true. Closing the wage gap would benefit more than just the 7.3 million families headed by single, working mothers. Yes, they could use the extra $10,876 for childcare, groceries, or rent. However, closing the wage gap would fully improve the economy, which absolutely affects everyone. If women made the same amount as men, they wouldn't need to rely on Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as SNAP, or food stamps), or housing assistance. These are government assistance programs, funded by your hard-earned tax dollars.
I don't know about you, but I would much rather this alternative - pay women the same salaries that you pay men - and uphold the equality standard we choose as Americans.
