The Gender Pay Gap

Gender Pay Gap

- Gender stereotypes/biases affect hiring, promotions, salary negotiations.
- Women less likely promoted; face pay discrimination.
- Lower pay impacts motherhood: perceived lower productivity, commitment, disrupted training, lack of state childcare.
- Motherhood penalty: wage reduction/career setbacks. - Fatherhood premium: wage boost.

Effects on Women

The economic gap threatens women’s earnings and perpetuates systemic inequality.

• Affects older women/single mothers most.

• Causes wealth disparities and mental health issues.

• Discourages leadership roles and reinforces job segregation.

• Impacts housing, education, and healthcare, especially for women of color.

Facts

• Pay gap lessened between the 1960s-90s but remains a problem.

• Affects average salaries across all education levels.

• Worst in finance and insurance.

• Mothers earn less than childless women and men with and without children.

• No federal action on equal pay in decades.

Statistics

• Motherhood Penalty: Mothers earn 75 cents for every dollar fathers make; even less (64 cents) for women of color.

• US Average: Women earn 85% of what men earn.

• Time to Close the Gap: Estimated 134 years to achieve global gender parity at the current rate.

• Latina Women: Earn only 58 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.

• Black Women: Earn 66 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.

Solutions

• Talk About It: Share facts, speak up.

• Pay Transparency: Pay audits, flexible options.

• Stronger Laws: Advocate for equal pay.

• Access: Affordable childcare.

• Paid Leave: Child/medical leave.

• Fair Promotions: Equal opportunities for women.

• Change Beliefs: Challenge outdated gender roles.