Feminist Theory Studies in America
Feminist Theory Studies in America
Why do people pursue an education? Many people would answer this question by stating they pursue an education to attain personal growth, to obtain a career of their choosing, and to earn an income that will meet their needs. The aspirations, dedication, and effort made toward receiving an education are the same for men and women. So why is the outcome for women less fruitful than for men? I believe it is because de facto discrimination has not been discouraged by legislation. If the Civil Rights Act and the 19th Amendment to the Constitution had not been created would the rights they have provided been achieved otherwise? I don’t believe so.
The effort by the government to create and pass legislation and procedures for enforcing pay equity are being addressed but the results are not significant and have left most women unable to earn a fair income. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women earn, on average, only 73 cents for every dollar that men earn. Women of color experience even greater inequities-African American women earn 64 cents, while Hispanic women earn 52 cents for every dollar men earn. (Business and Professional Women/USA)
Each year the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) organizes the national observance of Equal Pay Day to raise awareness about unfair pay in America. This year it was observed on Tuesday, April 16, 2002. Tuesday is symbolic of the point into the new week that a woman must work in order to earn the wages paid to a man in the previous week. (National Committee on Pay Equity)
The statistical data in the Table 1-4 below reflects the harsh reality of the unfairness of earned income for women. The tables also reflect the fact that the more education a woman has the greater the wage gap will likely be.
Table I.
Occupations with estimated earnings of under $20,000 2
Occupation Percent Women Men's Wages Women's Wages Earnings Gap Earnings Ratio (%)
Waiter/Waitress 69% $346 $301 $45 87%
Cleaning & Building Services 40% $382 $307 $75 80%
Cashiers 76% $313 $276 $37 88%
Food Preparation and Service 50% $325 $294 $31 90%
Table II.
Occupations with estimated earnings between $20,000 and $34,000
Occupation Percent Women Men's Wages Women's Wages Earnings Gap Earnings Ratio (%)
Bus Driver 45% $506 $401 $105 79%
Sales Worker; Retail & Personal 56% $470 $301 $169 64%
Mechanics & Repairers 5% $649 $627 $22 97%
Construction Trades 2% $599 $475 $124 79%
Truck Drivers 4% $573 $407 $166 71%
Table III.
Occupations with estimated earnings above $34,000
Occupation Percent Women Men's Wages Women's Wages Earnings Gap Earnings Ratio (%)
Accountants & Auditors 60% $953 $690 $263 72%
Securities & Financial Services Sales 33% $1,118 $641 $477 57%
Physicians 31% $1,553 $899 $654 58%
Teachers, College & Univ 38% $1,020 $805 $215 79%
Lawyers & Judges 29% $1,448 $1,054 $394 73%
Economists 48% $1,148 $785 $363 68%
Table IV.
Occupations in Which the Majority of Workers are Women
Occupation Percent Women Men's Wages Women's Wages Earnings Gap Earnings Ratio (%)
Registered Nurse 91% $890 $782 $108 88%
Social Worker 71% $637 $589 $48 92%
Admin Support including clerical 77% $563 $449 $114 80%
teachers, except college & universities 74% $827 $673 $154 81%
1 Data were...