Women Women Earn Less Than Men: Strategies for Change
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Date
1979-05
Authors
Fong, Valerie Wai Hin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
As Palme notes , there is not a "problem of women ' s role in society" but a sex-role problem because the roles of men and women are interdependent . Because we live in a market economy, where goods are often valued on the basis of their exchange value , I have chosen to examine the sexual wage differential and the division of labor because it is the most striking , overt example of the sex-role problem in our society.
In the first chapter, "The Sexual Wage Differential and the Division of Labor ," defines what is meant by the sexual wage differential and examine the evidence to determine its pervasiveness , I will then discuss the major explanations proposed to explain the sexual wage differential by economists , sociologists , psychoanalysts , and employers . After summarizing and critiquing these explanations , I will discuss the costs and benefits
of maintaining the current sex-roles and attendant sexual wage differential.
The second chapter on sex roles in transition toward equality, begins by determining what equality would look like and examining attempts toward it made in other countries . This is followed by an examination of the various strategies that can be useful in working toward equality: education , several options in caring for children , re- examining the nature of work , modifications in income and tax structures .
The last chapter , "Societal Choiceic ," provides a conceptual plan to integrate all of the choices society can make , maintaining the sex-roles or moving toward equality. I close with a summary , and conclusions and recommendations.
This paper is designed to acquaint the reader with some of the aspects of the sex-role problem and propose some solutions . It is not designed to provide an in-depth analysis of all the issues involved but rat her to serve as an overview, to direct the reader to further research and action.
Description
66 pages
Keywords
sex-role problem, sexual wage difference, sexual wage differential, division of labor