The Gender Gap Is Here To Stay

A summary of and response to Netflix’s “Explained” episode.

In the 1950’s and 60’s the causes for the gender pay gap were less educated women, lower female workforce participation, the grouping of “feminine” jobs, the legality of discrimination, as well as society’s gender roles and cultural norms. Even though most of these factors have diminished with time, one remains: the idea that women are to bear and raise children.

Many people believe that women should not work full-time while raising young kids. The extra time women spend on childcare and housework are the heart of the pay gap. Because mothers are expected to be the primary caregiver for their kids, they are more likely to take time off work and turn down assignments. For example, a mother might refuse dinner with clients if her child is sick and needs attention. On the other hand, a man has more time to devote to his work because he typically does not share these same expectations. This results in men being more likely to receive raises and promotions.

The wage gap is less about being a woman, and more about being a mom. Both women without kids and men do not experience the drastic decrease in earnings that working mothers do. Although childless women still earn four percent less than men, they make significantly more than women with kids.

Iceland and Rwanda are two countries that have come close to closing their wage gap. After experiencing the loss of 800,000 citizens, Rwanda was left with a population that consisted of 70% women. To rebuild Rwanda, a gender equality clause was added to their constitution. It stated that at least 30% of all levels of government positions must be held by women. A gender monitoring office was established to ensure compliance with the country’s goals.

As for Iceland’s progress, women left the workforce and took to the streets in 1975 to protest the gender wage gap. Without these women at work, companies and business were unable to remain open, warranting a change. A few years later, a policy was passed that required businesses to provide new mothers with six months of paid leave. This was later changed to give both parents three months of maternity/paternity leave. To encourage fathers to take this opportunity, the leave could not be re-assigned.

I believe that steps can be taken to reduce the gender wage gap as the countries previously mentioned have succeeded in doing so. However, these policies were only established in the name of sustainability for their countries economy. For women, especially mothers, to be paid similarly to men, the country’s government must be backed into a corner. Otherwise, it seems highly likely for them to fix this issue. We live in a patriarchal society, and those in power wish to stay in power. Even in Rwanda and Iceland, women still do not earn the same amount as men; I personally doubt they ever will. The laws in these countries are not made in the name of equality, but an attempt to satisfy women’s outrage and demand for change — with men remaining one step above them.

The closing of the gender wage gap requires an entire rewriting of the gender roles our civilizations are built upon. Realistically, that’s not going to happen. That being said, these days it’s more common for heterosexual relationships to be egalitarian rather than traditional when it comes to household duties, child rearing, and financial responsibilities. By the way, that’s just a fancy term for wives that go to work and still do the majority of house chores, take care of the kids, and pay half the bills. Pew Research. Page 5.

The illusion of progress is not progress.