Mini-Paper – Gender Pay Inequity

Mini-Paper – Gender Pay Inequity

Summary for Each Country

United States of America

The gender pay gap in the U.S. has remained relatively stable for the past two decades. Based on a 2022 research of hourly median pay among temporary and long-term employees, women earn about 83.7% of what their male counterparts earn (Aragão, 2023). Among all women aged 16 and older, the least gap existed between those aged 25 and 34. Do you need help with your assignment ? Contact us at eminencepapers.com.

Occupational segregation is one of the leading contributors to the gendered pay gap in the U.S. Women tend to work in industries traditionally dominated by female workforces such as home health aides and child carers, jobs which attract relatively lower pay. On the other hand, men work in sectors traditionally dominated by male workers, such as construction, hence earning more than women. Differences in work experiences have also contributed to the gendered pay gap since women tend to have limited experience. The Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 1963 protects all sexes against gendered pay discrimination.

The U.K.

The gendered pay gap in the U.K. is relatively similar to the U.S. Data shows that as many as eight out of 10 firms in the U.K. are associated with a gendered pay gap. Since mandatory pay gap reporting is required in the U.K., in 2022-2023, the gendered pay gap across all sectors was estimated to be 9.4% (Gilchrist, 2023). U.K.’s gendered pay gap issue is an outcome of systemic inequality. Historically, U.K. women have taken up jobs traditionally linked with women, which pay relatively poorly (Gilchrist, 2023). Additionally, more women in the U.K. work in informal and poorly paid occupations such as cleaning and the textile industry. U.K.’s strict gender pay gap reporting requirement has gone a long way to ensure pay equality in the U.K.

Germany

Gender pay parity also exists in Germany, where the median pay for female employees accounts for 82% of the median pay received by their male counterparts. Average results show that men earned an average of €24.36 per hour across all sectors, while women earned €20.05 (Rooks, 2023). Women are not only paid less in Germany, but they are also excluded from the mainstream economy as they face high unemployment levels. The gendered pay gap issue boils down to the family structure, as women are disproportionately expected to handle household chores and child care, thereby excluded from meaningful employment. Another contributing factor to the gap is that men occupy more leadership positions than women. Male leaders end up making management decisions biased toward their male counterparts. Germany forbids gender pay inequity through the General Act on Equal Treatment, among other laws.

South Africa

The median gender pay gap in South Africa stands between 23%-35%, one of the highest in the world. Pay inequity in South Africa is a huge problem because it is deeply embedded in the country’s social structure. Even highly educated women working in the private sector find it difficult to escape the gender pay gap problem. One of the main causes for the gender pay gap in South Africa is the patriarchal nature of the society, which always treats women as the subordinates of men. Also, even post-apartheid, South African women are disproportionately expected to provide home and child care. In the long run, women end up working in informal sectors that pay less.

Comparison and Contrast

Based on the data above, Germany has the worst gender pay inequity in the entire European Union and probably among all Western countries. Notably, the U.K.’s low level of gender pay inequity may be attributed to the requirement that makes companies report the existing gender pay gap. On the other hand, South Africa has the worst gender pay inequity among the four countries. In comparison, the U.S. has a slightly lower gender pay gap than Germany, but way higher when compared to the U.K. However, overall, the gender pay gap in the U.S. exceeds the European Union average, estimated to be 12%.

References

Aragão, C. (2023, March 1). Gender pay gap in U.S. hasn’t changed much in two decades. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/01/gender-pay-gap-facts/

Gilchrist, K. (2023, April 5). Women are paid less than two thirds of men’s earnings at several U.K. banks, new analysis finds. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/05/uk-gender-pay-gap-banks-pay-women-less-than-two-thirds-of-mens-earnings.html#:~:text=Across%20all%20sectors%2C%20as%20many

Rooks, T. (2023, July 3). Germany’s gender pay gap just won’t go away – D.W. – 03/07/2023. Dw.com. https://www.dw.com/en/women-earning-less-in-2022-germanys-gender-pay-gap-just-wont-go-away/a-64899810

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Mini-Paper – Gender Pay Inequity

Instructions
Because they make up approximately half of the available pool of talent, it is not surprising that women are the focus of many diversity initiatives around the world.

In light of this global focus on women, you will research gender pay equity differences in four different countries, including the United States. Try to select countries from different regions. Then, prepare either a paper or a presentation to report your findings. The paper or presentation should include the following:

A brief summary of gender income inequality for each country
Statistics: what is the gender pay gap?
Explanations for the root causes of the pay inequity in that country
Any national laws that exist to prohibit pay equity differences
An examination of how the four countries compare and contrast with one another.