Gender Inequality – Creating a Significant Income Gap

A problem of Inequality and Power

Rebecca FerbyGeorgian

College200224032

What is the Gender Income Gap and Why does it Happen?The Gender Income Gap (GIG)is the differences in pay between men and women.

Possible factors contributing to the gap include: Loss of position seniority; leaving positions to take care of families. Occupational segregation in traditionally unappreciated and meagre

paying jobs (Clerical and Childcare). Lack of females in unions.

Ontario 2011

GIG: 26%

But how does a Woman’s education level play into Gender Wage Gap?

Structural Sexism- The way society (specifically its institutions), subordinate people based on their gender.

Education Received and the Gender Income Gap

2013- For the first time ever in Canada, women surpassed men in having post high school education (64.8% vs. 63.4% of men).

Canada, only 44% of Doctorate Degrees were given to females in 2008.

From the Statistics Canada table below, participation in math, engineering and sciences are still low.

Watch CBC

News Video HERE!

In a study of Undergraduates (821 women and 535 men) 53 % desired this lifestyle compared to men at only 6%:

This may suggest that because men generally get paid more in our society, it is expected working females will step down and become the primary caregiver. Also leaving the impression young females may leave before male coworkers due to starting a family, resulting in lower pay.

Graduate Fulltime work Marry Have kids

Stay home until school begins Back to fulltime

Education Received and the Gender Income Gap (Cont.)

In a study of 556 men & 450 women in biochemistry, three things were discovered: 1) it is harder for women to get promoted 2) women are held to higher standards compared to men and 3) are incredibly disadvantaged at high importance departments.

Structural limitation: women find it more difficult to find promotion in jobs of higher education, thus they have lower pay scales.

The Globe and Mail conducted a study of women in corporate roles throughout Canada, and found that 92% of women felt unbalanced promotion opportunities, and almost three quarters find the income gap too large.

Almost 30 % of these women have only seen change through other women standing up and “demanding” equal job opportunities.

Income and the Gap

1997- University graduated women earn 74% as much as their male coworkers with the same level of education at the same occupation.

Thomaskovic-Devey discovered that the percent of females in the workplaces was the best indicator of income gap.› Higher the % of females present, the lower the

average pay.› Surprisingly, jobs are also lower paying if they

require ”nurturing skills”, which falls under the female expressive roles emphasized by society.

Two theories can explain why GIG exists; Devaluation Hypothesis &Human Capital Hypothesis

GIG Explained;Devaluation Hypothesis

Devaluation Theory

The most common of the two theories accepted by researchers.

The work that women accomplish are of less value than that of a man’s.› Some argue less valuable due to emotional labour (caring,

empathising etc).› Emotional labour is rarely found in a job description.

GIG Explained; Human Capital Hypothesis

Human Capital Theory The differences in education levels,

skills, training and experience in the field dictate the pay differences between men and women.

Marini and Fran, in 1997, found that organizational variables explain the Gender Income Gap.› When males and females enter an

organization, they are “channelled” to a sex-specific position that have different pays.

Comparable Worth The Ontario Pay Equity Act of 1988 failed to encompass paying people

equally for work of equal value, and has still has not addressed it to date.

Many argue that a woman’s comparable value in the hiring process is less due to lower amounts of work experience.› Catch 22; how are they supposed to grow experience without being hired?

Almost one fifth of the wage gap in Canada, 18%, is blamed on the lack of experience in the field that women have.

Feminist Perspective

Rights and autonomy for all citizens, reason over prejudice and the value found in a human person- Feminist Marry Wallstonecraft, 1792

Shows that the woman’s subordinate homemaker role in society, previously viewed as vital, only benefited the male populous.

Roles are learned from, the expectations placed on us from birth into a certain society.

These roles are social ideas not biological truths.

Gender is constantly recreated by socialization and interaction of humans, it is not in our “genes” per say.

Feminist Perspective and the Gender Income Gap

A problem may lie in the instrumental roles; task oriented roles men are usually adopted into.

Women are leaned into expressive roles that are more nurturing and supportive.

Traditionally, society places importance on a mother raising her child.› What about single mothers?› Young mothers?› Uneducated mothers?

Taking time away from career/education opportunities or full time availability results in a lower pay.

Pink Collar Jobs and The Glass Ceiling

Both of these support the Feminist Theory because both cause a decrease in pay based off of women being undersold, underappreciated and therefore underpaid in the workplace .

Pink Collar Jobs:

Low valued jobs that offer few benefits and are predominantly held by women.

Glass Ceiling Effect:

An unspoken of transparent barrier that stops women, and minorities, from receiving promotions within their job.

How Can We Close the Gap?

Education grants to struggling mothers or poverty line youth or adults trying to further their education.

Increasing awareness- eg. International Women’s Day.

Develop and help promote a balanced hiring process.

Stand up for equal opportunities as an individual; do not be afraid of confrontation.

Career areas with low female percentage should offer special benefits that appeal to women; competitive pay, childcare benefits, family health insurance and etc.

Continue to develop and update Laws, such as the Pay Equity Act, to incorporate modernization of women in the workplaces.

Empower female employees in more decisions, giving autonomy.

How Can We Close the Gap?

International Women’s Day

Celebrated on March 8th every year; began technically in New York, 1908, as a march for higher pay and voting rights . Now aims to inspire and recognize the contributions of women to society.

Now 1000’s of events are held on this date internationally, it is a holiday in almost 30 countries.

Canada recognizes this day and celebrates events, but has yet to recognize it as an official holiday.

Click on the International Women’s day video below.

Examples of 2015 International Women’s Day Events in Canada

2 March 2015 9.00, 03 March 2015 5.00

A WOMAN'S KIT FOR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS

Canadian Management Centre 150 York Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, M5H 3S5

10 March 2015 8.00 to 6.30

PREPARE TO PROFIT : FIRST ANNUAL WBE CANADA PROCUREMENT SUMMIT AND CELEBRATION Located on the second floor of the Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place, 105 Princes' Blvd, Toronto, ON., Toronto, M6K 3C3

08 March 2015 9.00 to 4.00

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EMPOWERMENT SHOOT

Lethbridge Fish and Game Association AB. T1K6H7

06 April 2015 9.5008 April 2015 9.50 ASSERTIVENESS SKILLS FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Canadian Management Centre Toronto office, Toronto, M5H 3S5

References

CBC News. (June 26, 2013). More Women than Men have Postsecondary education. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/more-women-than-men-have-post-secondary-education-1.1358656

International Women’s Day Organization. (2015). About International Women’s Day. Retrieved from http://www.internationalwomensday.com/about.asp#.VSGrlU05CU9

Maroite, Barrimand. (October 15, 2013). Women in corporate Canada still feel overworked, underpaid: survey. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/women-still-feel-overworked-underpaid-compared-to-men-survey/article14844097/

Mooney, L.A., Holmes, M., Knox D., and Schacht C. (2013). Understanding Social Problems. Toronto, CA: Nelson Education.

Pay Equity Commission; Government of Canada. (April, 2014). Gender Wage Gap. Retrieved from http://www.payequity.gov.on.ca/en/about/pubs/genderwage/wagegap.php

References for picture sources (also found in the notes section)

http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/lop/researchpublications/2010-30-e.htm#a2

http://www.salon.com/2013/09/15/the_real_reason_women_arent_reaching_the_top/

http://www.salon.com/2013/09/15/the_real_reason_women_arent_reaching_the_top/

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11387/c-g/c-g001-eng.htm

http://www.gazettes.com/news/education/preschool-teacher-wins-county-award/article_0bce9812-7f46-11e1-aeb3-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=image&photo=0

http://www.thedovesuperior.com/healthcare-services/nursing/

http://scrubsmag.mindovermediallc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/crying-nurse.jpg

References for picture sources (also found in the notes section)Continued

http://scrubsmag.mindovermediallc.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/crying-nurse.jpg

Http://www.postcardpost.com/cw37.jpg :

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11387/c-g/c-g001-eng.htm

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11387/c-g/c-g001-eng.htm

http://opinionessoftheworld.com/2012/05/08/stop-asking-where-are-the-young-feminists-because-they-are-right-here/

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/linkto.asp#.VSHXBM3pieY

http://blog.bryonycrane.me.uk/2010/11/glass-ceiling.html