Entry #2: Why the Wage Gap?

Ever since I was little my parents always told me, "No one is better or less than you, everyone deserves the same." Imagine my surprise of finding out that to businesses women are worth less than men. Wage gap is something that, in my personal opinion, is barbaric. Nevertheless, women have been fighting this ongoing battle for many years with some success but still no equality. On average, women make 81 cents per dollar made by a male counterpart doing the same job, with minorities making even less than that.

Despite various efforts, including the Pay Act of 1963, employers still find ways to pay women less than men. Many women face challenges in their field, especially regarding time split between family and work. Women are often told to "want it all" referring to both a successful business and personal life, something men are never pressured to choose between. Many companies look at things, such as maternity leave, as an added cost to hiring women and use that to justify paying less to women compared to men. Many complain that the wage gap compares men and women in different careers but that is untrue. Studies done in various fields and careers have all shown the same thing, men are paid more than women.

I hope that as my generation enters the workforce we close the wage gap and truly make it equal pay. Women deserve the same amount of pay for their work regardless if they decide to have children or not. It's surprising the amount of ways companies can deny equal pay without violating laws and I constantly learn more about what to expect as I enter the work force. Wage Gap is sometimes called a myth but I implore everyone to do some research on the matter and realize inequality is a very real thing plaguing our society.