Gender Pay Gap

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Despite the countless accomplishments women have achieved throughout history to establish pay equity, women continue to get paid significantly less than men. Across all industries women are paid eighty two cents as opposed to a man's dollar, and although the pay gap has been much broader in the past, progression to narrow it has stalled in recent years. In the discussion of the gender pay gap, one argument has been that women are frequently discriminated against for their contributions. On the other hand, experts argue that women tend to select jobs that pay less, and offer more flexibility due to the responsibility of balancing motherhood and work. Is overt gender discrimination the cause of the gender wage gap? As the gender pay gap continues to persist, …show more content…
In response to the growing rate of female participation in the workforce, the Women in Industry Service published the “Standards for the Employment of Women in Industry.” It set standards for women and their employers, it encouraged improved working conditions and the welfare of women’s wages, although it was republished several times. During the 1930’s and 1960’s, more women started gaining more occupations in the labor force, particularly clerical jobs. Although there was an increase in women’s participation in the labor force, they still were paid 60 cents compared to every dollar a man made (U.S Census Bureau). To address the evident pay inequity, Congress passed the Enactment of the Equal Pay Act, which prevented employers from paying different wages to women and men who performed similar jobs, the law wasn’t effective and the law ultimately did little to narrow the wage gap disparity (Women in Leadership). Shortly, the year after congress passed the Equal Pay Act, it passed the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination in employment compensation due to gender, race, and