6 Ways To Convince Someone The Gender Pay Gap Is Real | CNBC

Summary

The gender pay gap is real, despite widespread skepticism. Research shows that U.S. women earned just 80 cents for every dollar men made in 2016, with the gap widening by race. Common myths, such as women leaving the workforce to have children or working fewer hours, are debunked by evidence of systemic issues like unpaid domestic labor and gender bias in wage distribution. Women also face penalties for negotiating salaries and entering undervalued fields. Addressing these myths and acknowledging the impact of gender bias is crucial for closing the gender pay gap and ensuring workplace equity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The gender pay gap is real and persistent, with U.S. women earning only 80 cents for every dollar men earn in 2016, with disparities worsening by race.
• 😀 A significant number of men (61%) believe that men earn more than women for performing the same jobs, despite research proving otherwise.
• 😀 One common myth is that women leave the workforce to have children, but many women are forced to do so due to lack of paid family leave in the U.S.
• 😀 Research shows that women experience a pay cut when having children, while men receive a 'fatherhood bonus,' a pay increase after becoming fathers.
• 😀 Even when women remain childless, the gender pay gap persists, indicating that the gap isn't solely about family responsibilities.
• 😀 Contrary to the myth that men work harder and longer hours, research shows that women spend more time on domestic work, which limits their paid working hours.
• 😀 The gender pay gap is exacerbated by the fact that when women enter a field, the wages in that field often drop (e.g., in design and biology).
• 😀 Women are more likely than men to have higher education credentials, yet they still earn less than men with similar qualifications.
• 😀 Women face social penalties when they negotiate for higher pay, often being labeled as 'high maintenance' or 'demanding,' which contributes to the pay gap.
• 😀 The myth that women deliberately pursue lower-paying careers is false—women often enter fields where pay is lower due to the devaluation of those roles.
• 😀 Even a small wage difference, like a 20-cent gap, can add up to a significant financial difference, totaling up to $10,000 per year, which can be the difference between poverty and financial security.

Q & A

What is the gender pay gap, and why do some people doubt its existence?

The gender pay gap refers to the disparity in earnings between men and women for performing the same or similar jobs. Some skeptics doubt its existence despite extensive research showing it's real, with only 61% of men believing that men make more than women for the same work.

What percentage of women earned compared to men in full-time work in the U.S. in 2016?

In 2016, U.S. women working full-time earned 80 cents for every dollar earned by men.

How does the gender pay gap differ when broken down by race?

The gender pay gap is even more pronounced when broken down by race, with women of color often facing even larger disparities in earnings compared to white men and women.

Why do women leave the workforce, and how does this relate to the pay gap?

Women are often forced to leave the workforce, not because they want to care for children, but because they lack paid family leave. Research shows that women who take unpaid family leave face pay cuts, while men receive a 'fatherhood bonus' leading to pay increases.

What is the 'fatherhood bonus,' and how does it affect men and women in the workforce?

The 'fatherhood bonus' refers to the phenomenon where men experience pay increases when they have children, while women typically face pay cuts. This reflects gender bias in how caregiving is viewed.

Does the gender pay gap exist even when women don't have children?

Yes, the gender pay gap persists even when women choose to remain in the workforce without having children. Women still earn less than men, even without the additional responsibilities of parenthood.

How do women's domestic responsibilities affect the gender pay gap?

On average, women spend more time on housework and caregiving duties than men. As a result, women are often unable to log as many continuous work hours, which impacts their earning potential. This unpaid domestic work subsidizes men's paid work.

Do men work longer hours than women on average?

While it's true that men may work longer hours, this is often due to women taking on more domestic responsibilities. This unpaid labor results in men being able to dedicate more time to paid work, which can lead to higher earnings.

How does education impact the gender pay gap?

While women now earn more than half of all bachelor's degrees, the pay gap persists even among those with the same level of education. In fact, the pay gap is larger when comparing men and women with identical educational credentials.

Do women face penalties for negotiating salaries, and if so, why?

Yes, research shows that when women negotiate for higher salaries, they are often perceived as demanding or high-maintenance and face social penalties. Gender bias and discrimination make it difficult for women to successfully negotiate without negative repercussions.

Why do women tend to pursue lower-paying careers compared to men?

Women don't deliberately choose lower-paying careers, but the jobs they tend to pursue are undervalued compared to those predominantly occupied by men. Additionally, when more women enter a particular field, wages in that field often decrease, as seen with careers like design and biology.

How significant is the gender pay gap in terms of annual earnings?

Even a small difference in pay, such as 20 cents per hour, can amount to a substantial annual loss. For full-time workers, this 20-cent difference equals about $10,000 a year, which can be the difference between financial security and poverty.