More than anything, this is just a post as to have another handy reference when it comes to arguing with MRA’s and other assorted people about ‘equality’ and ‘parity’ in the work environment. A big thanks to Sociological Images for compiling the information in the post titled “Explaining Gender Inequalities in Salary Expectations”.
The following chart featured at The Economist illustrates that women in Europe expect to earn significantly less than men after graduating from university. (Of course, women’s expectations are represented in pink, and men’s in blue.) According to the study, European women attending the most prestigious universities expect to earn an average of 21 per cent less than their male counterparts.
Given that women actually do earn an average of 17.5 per cent less than men in the European Union, this difference in salary expectations might not seem shocking. What’s interesting, though, is the accompanying text that attempts to explain these disparities:
Women and men seem to differ in workplace and career aspirations, which may explain why salary expectations differ. Men generally placed more importance on being a leader or manager than women (34% of men versus 22% of women), and want jobs with high levels of responsibility (25% v 17%). Women, however want to work for a company with high corporate social responsibility and ethical standards; men are more interested in prestige (31% v 24%).
By neglecting to address how our social environment can contribute to reported differences in career aspirations, statements like these risk reinforcing gender stereotypes and naturalizing salary inequalities. Can we really assume that gendered salary disparities are due to women’s innately lower inclination to pursue high-paying career paths?
Research says: no, we can’t. [Go to Sociological Images for the rest of the story].
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7 comments
October 4, 2011 at 10:01 am
Vern R. Kaine
Hi Arb,
Considering our backgrounds (and of course, our genders) I find this topic an interesting one to discuss with you. A few questions on the rest of the article over at the Socialogical Images page if I may. In support of its point, it states:
“For example, women exposed to media articles claiming that successful careers in entrepreneurship require typically “masculine” qualities were less likely to report an interest in becoming entrepreneurs. Women who knew that the test they were taking was measuring gender differences were more likely to report being highly empathic. Women were less interested in attending an engineers’ conference when it was advertised as male-dominated rather than gender-balanced.”
I get the point that “Our perceptions of our abilities, identities, and sense of belonging are influenced by our social environment.”, If the article is saying that the media (or society) is telling women to expect less and therefore they do, that’s a wrong that should be made right, but then to me the examples seem to take us off that point.
For instance, entrepreneurship actually does require a substantial amount of what are considered “masculine” qualities whether anyone decides to state that in an article or not. If that causes a woman to shy away, is that any more “wrong” than a guy shying away from a career that requires an abundance of “feminine” qualities, such as patience?
Re: conferences, a number of males typically shy away from the soft-skill-type conferences that more women tend to want to attend. Where it’s a personal choice, I’m wondering, “So what?” I’m pretty sure that a number of male engineers have no interest in attending this type of conference, either, and that their attendance, unless forced, would be relatively small.
My questions:
1) are you first objecting in itself to the labeling of traits/qualities as being “masculine” or “feminine”?
2) do you think the media portrays entrepreneurship as a male-dominated field?
3) re: the wage inequality issue, what are your thoughts on why this disparity might exist considering that those who create the pay bands for women (HR professionals) are actually mostly women themselves? (Example source: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3495/is_n8_v42/ai_20905301/)
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October 9, 2011 at 10:05 am
Vern R. Kaine
Re: #2), I just read this article today from Mark Suster, titled “Why Aren’t There More Female Entrepreneurs?” if you’re interested.
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October 9, 2011 at 10:07 am
Vern R. Kaine
Whoops – here’s the link: “Why Aren’t There More Female Entrepreneurs?”
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October 9, 2011 at 10:37 am
The Arbourist
Thanks for the link, I shall put it in line right after I finish making my study guide for the course I’m taking. :) Or if I need a distraction from said work. *g*
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October 9, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Vern R. Kaine
You’re welcome, and no rush. Just curious on your opinion, as always. I’ve been up to my ears with biz, travel, and study as of late so I can definitely relate.
Can I ask what course?
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October 9, 2011 at 2:04 pm
The Arbourist
The psychology of learning and behaviour – a middling course in the psychology route that talks about the different types of learning, conditioning et cetera.
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October 10, 2011 at 9:48 am
Vern R. Kaine
Fun! That’s some of the subject matter I approach in my day job on the OrgD and training side.
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