Wage Inequality [Career 101]

Today I came across this article about Wage Inequality in the U.S., a persistent, but fortunately changing trend. I still remember when years ago I heard for the first time about wage inequality between men and women, I also remember how shocked I was, perhaps because I'm a woman, but being a person that seeks argumentation to understand a certain topic, this is certainly one that shows how our society is still bind to certain traditions.


While many may argument that men have been earning more since in most families they are the head of their households, present data shows that more and more women are becoming "breadwinners." According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: U.S. Census Bureau, in 2009, 9325000 women earned more than their husband, approximately 29% of married women in a family with two incomes. Yet, this data alone cannot argument for the fact that men aren't the solely responsible for their households since, in most families, both women and men are working. 


The question in this problem then is: Are men better than women? Do they pursue more qualifications than women? Are they, at least, better negotiators when it comes down to pay and salary? Why such discrepancies are still present in a world, and a country, that we so much call for respect and equality? Looking at the figure, you may see that the difference in wages vary accordingly to different sectors and states. 


Yes, luckily, this discrepancy has been changing and diminishing over the past years, yet, is it going on a slow pace? According to the most recent study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, if the overall U.S. annual wage gap ratio -- which stands at 77 percent according to the Census Bureau -- continues to close at the current pace, male and female incomes on average will not be on equal footing until 2056 (Yahoo). TWENTY-FIFTY-SIX may not seem so far away when we look at the numbers, but just think about this: A baby born this year, will be 44 years old in 2056! -- I honestly don't even want to think about how old will I be in 2056 but I know that If I'm still alive at that time I'll probably be retired and probably not directly enjoying the fruits of the hard labor that women are taken at the present to overcome these disparity that seems more like an archaic habit.


More than just recognizing these differences in the U.S., how can we compare them to other countries? and how can we eliminate them? Below is the table with the current information about the wage discrepancy in the U.S:

Another night --- a little off topic -- but online, fellows!
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Ana Clara Keough