Letters to the Editor
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Free Market proves Discrimination
The first time i read an article pointing out wage gap (late 90's (first time I read an article, not the first time there was an article)) I was shocked. You know growing up in America our educational system always describes societal problems in the past tense. It's certainly a shock to find out racism persists even after 'the 60's' and that sexism continues despite the 19th amendment's passage in 1920 (h/t to Schoolhouse Rock "Sufferin' til Sufferage") Anyway I couldn't understand how problems like wage disparity could exist in our wonderful country. The only thing I ever heard that sounded like it could make sense is that men are greater risk takers, i.e. they ask for more. Women, seek security, i.e. they lowball their asking salary. This really sounds good and it mollified me for a time until I kept hearing the conservative drumbeat of 'free market' over and over and it occurred to me that if woman made less than men for ANY other reason besides sexism, wouldn't our free market favor women hiring? Wouldn't the majority of middle management and up be predominantly female?
Conclusion: Sexism is alive and well.