The previous three posts discuss some strategies to fight against gender pay gap as an organization and as an individual. In fact, the wage gap still exists. Women do not earn as much as men do. Some cases happen consciously, while some are unconscious. In addition, there are still some myths related to the pay gap between men and women.  Some people even believe that the pay gap has nothing to do with discrimination and bias, as they are inherent with characteristics unique to women. Are they right?

Career Choices and Gender Pay Gap: Facts or Myths?

Girls are denied from certain Subjects Since Childhood

Fact: Girls do not avoid certain subjects since they are at schools. Instead, boys are expected to be better in certain subjects related to high-paying jobs like math and science. Meanwhile, girls tend to be steered away from those subjects. A study found that even teachers tended to rate boys better than girls when it comes to math ability. This is a gender bias. Girls are discouraged from certain subjects, while they are encouraged in fields where they are expected perform better.

Female-Dominated Jobs Pay Less

Fact: Women tend to be paid less than men do. This is not because women choose low-paying jobs. Instead, the society still values women less when it comes to career. As a result, women-dominated jobs generally pay less than men-dominated jobs. This is evident in education sectors. Studies show that most elementary school teachers are women. In fact, elementary school teachers are not paid equally to those in managerial levels in business organizations.

No Occupation Offers Higher Pay for Women Compared to Men

Fact: gender pay gap is not a matter of career choice. A 2017 report by American Community Survey showed that there was no job category, in which women are paid higher than men are. This does not happen, if the wage gap is only a matter of occupational choices. Women would never choose a job, for which they are paid less. Instead, they have no choice but to take those low-paying jobs.

Women Cannot Enter High-Paying men-Dominated Jobs

Fact: This is actually related to how girls are steered away from subjects related to high-paying jobs. As a result, women do not perform better in computer programs or math equations. It is not because women avoid or dislike these jobs. Instead, they are more likely to get sexual harassment or sexual discrimination when entering male-dominated jobs. They are more likely to be interrupted in meetings or unlikely to find the right mentors for these jobs.

Men Are Paid Higher in Women-Dominated Jobs

This is even more ironic. Even in job fields, where women dominate, men still make more money. This even applies in jobs like childcare or nursing services. Women still receive less payment compared men do.

Of course, those are not the only facts related to gender pay gap. These do not include the pay gap based on racial differences or female roles in households. These show that massive efforts are necessary to fight against the wage gap between men and women in all sectors. Otherwise, women will always be at subordinate position.