The American Association of University Women recently released a report stating that women
make only 78% of men’s salaries due to gender discrimination.
However, many news agencies still publish articles claiming that the gender wage gap
is a myth.
The subject is extensively researched, so why does the issue remain so controversial?
Well get ready - we’re going to bust the myth of the myth of the gender pay gap.
First of all, the AAUW reported a statistic that many Americans already know: women make
about 78 cents to every dollar men make.
The US Census Bureau published almost the exact same findings in 2010.
Both reports are cited by well-respected news agencies like National Public Radio, and the
New York Times, as well as high-profile politicians and celebrities.
Recently, President Obama, and Oscar-winner, Patricia Arquette spoke about the 20% pay
gap.
Skeptics say that the wage discrepancy is just the result of the different career choices
that women make, but the AAUW contests this.
Across both male and female dominated fields - including Science, Math, Healthcare, and
Education - the wage gap persists.
The AAUW also found that even women with the same level of education make 82% of what their
male counterparts make, one year after graduating.
The wage gap spans across women of all ages, races, lifestyles, and occupations.
Back in the 1960s and 70s, the wage gap was more obvious at 40%.
It shrank drastically in the 80s and 90s, but since then, it’s been stuck at the 20%
mark.
To further close the gap, the White House has initiated programs like “The Council
on Women and Girls” to help encourage gender equality.
However some experts report that it could take 43 years to close the wage gap entirely.
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