If women are paid less than men, whose fault is it?

Question

If women are paid less than men for the same job, is it because they are not demanding more pay?

In a capitalistic society, whose fault is that?

Capitalism is about free market, open competition.

A woman has equal opportunity to negotiate (demand) her salary as a man. Is it not HER responsiblity to negotiate with the employer.

I have two billable consultants (one woman, one man) who make more money than me. They 'command' it. Neither would accept a penny less, much to may chagrin.

As an employer, I pay according to a "range. The employee negotiates their best salary. As a small business owner, I only pay what I MUST pay (capitalism).

If two equally qualified people are paid differently, it is because one "accepted" (not was assigned) less than the other.

It is NOT personal. It IS business.

It is NOT discrimination based on sex, gender, age, or whatever.

It is simply the way capitalism works.

draecoiram: About raises, let me explain.

I have a billable employee right now that has asked for (demaned, actually) a raise. The problem is that the client is not giving me a raise. So, I have to decide whether to risk losing the employee or to cut into my profit.

I will probably cut into my profit. Is it because the employee is male or female?

No.

It is purely business. Nothing more, nothing less.

R - Thank you. Valid points.
I absolutely acknowledge that these ARE difficult choices and I fully support women that make these sacrifices for their families.

However, as you so aptly point out, women earnings are diminshed when they make these CHOICES about how much, where, and when to work.

However, feminists (especially) almost universally BLAME sex discrimination for any the pay difference. They seldom, if ever, acknowledge that the CHOICES women tend to make has an impact on their earnings.

Thus, any difference in pay is NOT discrimination; it is largely a result of the choices (as you so aptly point out) that women tend to make.

Answer 1

the employee must demand more money, the employer will give the job to that one who can do more for less money. Then, women get less money cause they ask for less, then they are given the jobs with no so much cost for the employer.

Answer 2

According to the The Women and Equality Unit, women’s level of work experience affects their pay rates as they are more likely to take breaks from work to care for their children or other dependants. Maternity leaves are included.

Women are also likely to spend less time commuting to work than men. This can impact on what women earn in two ways:
1. There is a smaller amount of jobs to choose from or
2. Lots of women want to work in the same location, ideally near to wear they live. This leads to lower wages from those jobs.

So, I would not say it's the women's 'fault'.

Edit: Like many feminists, I also think women are just as capable as men, but this is not the main issue with pay discrimination in particular. I totally agree with you, it's a lot to do with 'choice'.

Answer 3

i'm sure that you are correct in many situations. as long as the "range" is equal and there is negotiation for pay within then your conclusions are correct in that aspect. but also, one must consider raises, are they given without regard to gender? if so, good. but i do not think that they always are (in employment as a whole). there are also jobs, though, that do not negotiate for pay... are those rates equal as well? it is a complex situation.

Answer 4

Some women want what others have, neverminde that the men who got raises worked harder and longer or were responsibel for a major achievement like a scientific breakthrough or landing an important client.

Answer 5

I guess gender bias.Women should fight for their right isn't that what they've been doing till yet?

Answer 6

sex inequality, i guess. but let this not bother us women. we have to fight for our right for what we know we are capable of doing.