Letters to the Editor
Hall
Published Letters: 8 Editor's Choice: 2
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Honest Assessment
[Read the article: Are women unmotivated earners?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think that the truth exists between the two ideas. I think that the 33 cent wage gap isn't caused entirely by any one factor, and is in fact quite nuanced.
Is some of it caused by discrimination, societal pressures, and unfair job physical 'requirements'? Yes. Definitely.
Is some of it caused by the careers women work in and the choices they make? Yes. Definitely.
What is the solution? I don't know if there is a silver bullet, but I think the first step is for everyone to honestly assess what they think and what the various pundits are claiming. I think that the 77 cents statistic isn't very useful, because when it is used, it just gives ammo to the opposition to say it isn't meaningful because it is comparing apples to oranges as far as job types. A useful statistic compares people in the same job field, with the same experience level, working the same amount of hours. Studies like that have been done, and they still show differences. I think part of those differences is discrimination.
I think that it is foolish to claim ALL men or ALL women anything. Obviously generalizations don't apply to every individual.
If we want to make progress eliminating true discrimination, we need to use honest statistics and not just those that sound the best.
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Broadsheet Topic?
[Read the article: Daddy knows best ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm not sure I understand the intention of this blog post.
Konig sounds like the kind of person that broadsheet would normally trumpet. Interviewing her to discuss the reactions to her book, how she manages her relationship with her children, etc.
A journalist writing an article about a member of their family, particuarly a review/op-ed is pretty unethical. However, that isn't really a feminist issue.
So why is this posted here on broadsheet?
Katharine writes, "I suppose it's nice that someone's father approves of all the life choices she has made, but I found this column nauseating, and I'm not even an author trying to promote a little-noticed book."
I think she could be more charitable than that. Aren't we supposed to encourage men, particuarly fathers and husbands, to accept and be proud of women's work/family choices?
I'm not defending the article. I just don't get why Katharine would post this - other than to take it as a chance to mock someone, a man in particular.
I find it difficult to believe a similar post would have been made if the mother had written the article. I may be wrong, but that is the impression I have been left with.
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Wage Reality
[Read the article: Shrinking the wage gap]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I think the wage gap issue is one of the more important current feminist causes, which is why I am often distressed by the way in which it is presented or argued. I think this study and Erin's comments are a good start though.
If - and this is a big if - the feminist movement wants to convince more people that the wage gap is a real issue, it is important to use the right numbers. The reason this is a big ‘if’ is because many feminists believe it is not the movement's responsibility to make the data more convincing or comprimise on any issue, and that encouraging non feminist men and women to join the cause is not needed.
The 76 cents on the dollar statistic is a poor one because it is the result of comparing the overall means with no regard to job/education/experience. Studies that take those into account also find a wage gap, although it is usually smaller, I think I read 88 cents. That is the statistic we should use.
Why? Two reasons: 1) Using 76 cents makes it very easy for critics to point out the flaws and therefore ignore the issue entirely or claim the movement/issue is based on misunderstood data. 2) It is easier to convince people if we use numbers that are more statistically honest.
There is, of course, a separate issue of women on average holding jobs which pay less money, but that should be considered separately because the two issues muddy each other and enable the opposition.
People may bring up the recent study of the wages of men and women in their 20's living in major cities. This study found women to be making more, on average. I think this stat falls into the same issue as the 76 cents one, unless I'm mistaken. Whatever the gap is, and whichever direction it goes, we can examine it and try and determine what component is caused by possible discrimination.
Erin - You list two possible reasons why men might earn less on average in industries with more female managers, neither of which is possible discrimination. I think that discrimination probably plays a part regardless of who is in charge, male or female. We should acknowledge this.
I think if studies and articles examined issues with regards to both genders, without framing them as an inherently male or female issue, we would do more to advance solutions to the problems they study and convince people to listen and act for change.