The Gender Wage Gap
Inequality in the workplace is not an issue of the past. It plagues women all across the country who, just like their male counterparts, deserve to paid equally for their hard work.
Dear Madam President:
As I'm sure you are aware, our great nation has an unfortunate history of oppression and conflict. It is said that those terrible times are behind us, but I disagree. Yes, our country has grown and developed far beyond the America of the past, but inequality still plagues us. A prime example of this inequality is the gender wage gap.
Throughout time, our society has favored the model of the typical white business man going out and working to provide for his family. This was the norm many years ago, but times have changed. American has become and will continue to be growingly diverse. The workplace is no longer dominated by males, but shared equally among men and women. However, the pay these workers receive does not reflect this equality. According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, in 2015, women earned 80 cents to a man's dollar and, on average, earned less in every career polled. Although our workforce has evolved, our consideration for gender equality in the workplace has not.
In addition, this statistic is not all encompassing. Only white women earn that 80 cents. Minority groups earn even less, with African-American women earning 65 cents to a man's dollar and Hispanic women earning only 58 cents. These dedicated women do the same amount of work as their male counterparts. They, just like men, are trying to provide for their families and deserve to paid equally.
In order to implement equal pay for all genders, action must be taken at all levels of government, but permanent change should be a national affair. Even though the Equal Pay Act of 1963 has been in place, it is disregarded by many businesses and corporations. An addition to this act or the passing of a new one with stronger qualities should be implemented to enforce equal pay. Checks on the wages of business could be performed on the state and local level to ensure that workers are being treated fairly and penalties and fines should be put in place if that is not the case. It would be a large task, but it would be another step towards an America free from discrimination.
Sincerely,
Skylar Hedgepeth