Preview

Gender Wage Gap In Australia

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1302 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Gender Wage Gap In Australia
Essay Plan B
Several explanations have been put forward to explain why the gender-wage gap persists in Australia. Pick two and critically evaluate each. Summary of Argument: Recent history has shown a dramatic increase in the proportion of female workers in the labour market (Loudon, McPhail & Wilkonson 2009). With workplace diversity on the rise in Australia (French, Lewis & Phetmany 2000), legislation and changing cultural values have changed the way these women have been able to enter the workforce. Legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 has made it unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their gender, family commitments/choices or marital status throughout all areas of employment (Sex Discrimination Act 1984 …show more content…
Supportive work of Baum (2002), Walby & Olsen (2004), Selmi (2000) and Budig & England (2001) agree that withdrawals from the workplace by women due to family choices/commitments has a huge impact on their acquisition of human capital and is a “legitimate source of earnings differences” (Walby and Olsen 2004, p. v). Key Point Two: Cassells et al (2009) indicate that occupational segregation within the labour market is an important explanation for lower female wages. Baron & Cobb-Clark (2010) argue that the affect of labour market position and job status has heavy implications on employment outcomes/returns. This is particularly apparent among high-wage earners where a strong presence of glass ceilings is felt (Kee 2006). Olsen & Walby (2002) also explore labour market rigidities and market failures in the form of discrimination. Watts (2003) argues that an “inefficiency of labour market matching processes” (Watts 2003, p. 651) exists in Australia. The flow on effects of occupational segregation such as low female unionisation rates and its historical implications are also examined by Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson (2009). Conclusion: In conclusion, there are many explanations for the continuing gender-wage gap in Australia, each which are supported by …show more content…
66, no. 2, pp. 204-225 Cassells, R, Miranti, R, McNara, J & Vidyattama, Y 2009, The impact of a sustained gender wage gap on the Australian economy, National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (University of Canberra), Canberra French, E, Lewis, D & Phetmany, T 2000, ‘Cross-Cultural Diversity, Leadership and Workplace Relations in Australia’, Asia Pacific Business Review, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 105-124 Kee, H 2006, ‘Glass Ceiling or Sticky Floor? Exploring the Australian Gender Pay Gap’, Economic Record, vol. 82, no. 259, pp. 408 – 427 Loudoun, McPhail & Wilkinson 2009, Introduction to Employment Relations, 2nd edn, Pearson Australia, New South Wales, Australia Olsen, W & Walby, S 2004, Modelling Gender Wage Gaps, Equal Opportunities Commission, Manchester, UK Olsen, W & Walby, S 2002, The impact of women’s position in the labour market on pay and implications for UK productivity, Women and Equality Unit, London, UK Pocock, B 1999, ‘Equal Pay Thirty Years On: The Policy and Practice’, Australian Economic Review, vol. 32 no. 3, pp 279–285 Selmi, M 2000, ‘Family leave and the Gender Wage Gap’, North Carolina Law Review, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 707-782 Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Commonwealth of Australia) s. 14, viewed 20th August 2011, http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2011C00443 Watts, M 2003, ‘The Evolution of Occupational Gender Segregation in Australia: Measurement and
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    In What Way Do Class and Gender Interact to Generate Economic Inequality in Market Societies?
    • 1881 Words
    • 8 Pages

    In What Way Do Class and Gender Interact to Generate Economic Inequality in Market Societies?

    It was the political journalist, George Megalogenis who wrote in his book Fault Lines that it was ‘wogs and women’ who laboured to create modern Australia (2003, p.28). Megalogenis posits ‘wogs’ as the low paid, unskilled or under-skilled ‘working’ class, post World War II migrants. The Marxist principle of a reserve army of labour – which includes unskilled as well as casual or precarious labour and women – proposes that, as supply of labour is constant and abundant; the wages of this group are kept low. Horizontal inequality has resulted from women’s double burden of being underpaid for performing the same private work as men as well as the seemingly sole responsibility of unpaid, domestic labour. Concurrently, ongoing engendered disadvantage is on display in the high levels of vertical inequality whereby opportunities for the advancement of women within market society and the broader economy are stifled. These issues are further propagated by state policies that, for example, attach parental leave payment levels to the lower income of the household further relegating women to the lowest pay levels and entrenching the inequity that the gender pay gap creates. Attempts at economic empowerment and longer term prosperity that come from uninterrupted engagement in the workforce as enjoyed by men are further sabotaged by this disincentive. This essay will argue that both classism and gender based inequity have intersected to create serious financial and social disadvantage to women. Moreover, this paper will explore how both formal and informal institutions; structure and agency - whilst providing basic rights - have intertwined to create ongoing class and gender based inequality for women within market society.…

    • 1881 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Why Has the Equal Pay (and Amendment) Act Not Resulted in Equal Pay in the Uk?
    • 2157 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Why Has the Equal Pay (and Amendment) Act Not Resulted in Equal Pay in the Uk?

    According to research findings into the gender pay gap by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), the argument of many economists as to why there is still a substantial pay gap between the genders is that of an individual 's acquired human capital; ‘the individual differences (made) in the choice of investment in education and training, type of occupation, sector of employment and employment status. '…

    • 2157 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gender Pay Gap Research Paper
    • 233 Words
    • 1 Page

    Gender Pay Gap Research Paper

    Gender pay gaps persist not only in the United States but also around the world. The gender pay inequality is the reason why female in America makes 78 cents per 1 dollar of males’ salary. The gender is still the factor when it comes of determining a salary for an employee. Woman always placed with wage discrepancies and difference compared to what men earn. Unseen and often not acknowledged barriers that stop a woman from rising to upper position regardless of their achievement or qualifications. These patterns shows acceptance and power of social structure in our society.…

    • 233 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gender Based Pay Gap
    • 95 Words
    • 1 Page

    Gender Based Pay Gap

    The gender based pay gap is an important business, ethical, and legal issue. Due to the relevance of the pay gap issue and its prevalence in the literature, I will be able to provide the necessary and adequate information for the Critical Analysis Template within all eleven categories. The gender pay gap will ultimately effect my career, since it is an ongoing dilemma within society. With the pay gap’s social and personal ramifications, a deeper understanding of this issue will enable me to be a stronger advocate for justice and equality as a Christian businesswoman.…

    • 95 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Gender Wage Gap in the U.S
    • 1396 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Gender Wage Gap in the U.S

    Over history, after World War, I women had to take men’s work in factories till men came back from war. In addition, The National War Labor Board in 1942 agreed that they had to pay women and men equally for the same work and hours of work, but when men came back from war this did not happened and women had to leave their jobs to make room for men’s work. Thus, until 1960, newspapers presented articles to encourage women to take specific jobs different than men. For example, the New York Times published a wide amount of articles about homemaking to motivate women to stay at home and serve their husband and family. Besides, the different pay scales already existed, women with full time jobs gained between 59 and 64 cents from a dollar that men earned in the same job.…

    • 1396 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Gender Pay Gap Affect Women
    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Gender Pay Gap Affect Women

    The gender pay gap persists even though civil rights laws prohibit discrimination. It is estimated that a woman that works full time will earn about 80 cents for every dollar a man makes. Over the working lifespan, this earnings difference is $700,000 for a high school graduate, and up to $2 million for a professional school graduate . As such, it is important to understand the real effects that the gender pay gap has on society. The limitations of this type of system do not only affect women, but also the economy as a whole. It also has a significant impact on the family unit. The focus of this single issues paper is on how the gender pay gap negatively affects women, and how this feeds back into overall economic losses for the country.…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Gender Inequality in Australia
    • 623 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Gender Inequality in Australia

    Gender inequality has been ongoing debate in the workforce for years. Men have always been on the top with higher wages and positions while women are expected to be doing the unpaid domestic jobs. However, as a result of globalization there are more job opportunities for women, although men are still the dominant gender in the workforce. In this paper we will look at how three characters from John Wiseman’s ‘Barbie in a Borderless World? A Case Study’ has been affected due to globalization and their gender order.…

    • 623 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Inequality In Australia
    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Inequality In Australia

    They represent 50.6% of the NSW population according to the 2001 census and therefore have a strong voice in society. The Sex Discrimination Act 1984, highlight the feminist movement for gender equality in Australia. Although women have more equality compared to the indigenous group, they suffer disadvantage in comparison with men. In August 1998 according to the Department of Women (NSW), women 's average weekly earnings were 79.83% of men 's. They were also more likely that men to work unpaid overtime. Although statistics from Gender Equity: a frame work for Australian Schools 1997, show that girls have outperformed boys for the last 13 years on the bases of mean TER scores, women have had limits in achieving and reaching top positions in society, which is described as the 'glass ceiling ' theory. According to the SMH article 'affirmative: the glass ceiling is still firmly in place ', results from the 2004 Australian census of women in leadership revealed there had been no change in the number of women in chief executive positions and there was still only four in Australia. However, due to the woman 's collective strong voice in society, there is hope that the future prospects will change even more and become much more the same as the quality of life for…

    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Gender Pay Gap Analysis
    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Gender Pay Gap Analysis

    This essay, published by The New York Times and written by the journalist Claire Cain Miller, establishes a counter argument for the position that many people have taken on the issue of the gender pay gap. Miller and Harvard labor economist, Claudia Goldin, established the view that the pay gap is because of gender and not because of comparisons between the different jobs that males and females take. Being informed is essential to finding solutions for an issue and in this essay Miller informs her audience and shows how information can lead to meaningful solutions. “Occupations that most value long hours, face time at the office and being on call-like business, law and surgery – tend to have the widest pay gap.” Miller establishes in what occupations…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Gender Wage Gap Research Paper
    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Gender Wage Gap Research Paper

    Although programs and laws have been created to combat the wage gap, it is still an issue that the world seemly does not have an answer for yet. With many refusing to believe the issue in the first place, the progress in ridding the world of the gap is slow. There are signs of progress, for example in Ireland the number of female lawyers is higher than the male lawyers. This is significant because this the first time in Ireland, maybe in the world, that women have become more prevalent in a man dominated career. (Kearney). However, there is still a long way to go before women will receive equal pay, for equal…

    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gender Based Wage Gap Myth
    • 304 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Gender Based Wage Gap Myth

    The Equal Pay Act was of 1963 prohibited sex-based wage discrimination by employers for equal jobs done by men and women. However, it is the year 2016, 53 years later, and women in the workforce in America still earn lower wages than men across and within almost all occupations. The median wages of women are lower than that of men irrespective of whether the income is measured based hourly, weekly or annual earnings (Costello and Hegewisch, 2016). There are many people that believe that the gender based wage gap is a myth. Some experts attribute the wage gap to the choices women make such as choosing occupations that do not pay higher wages, taking time off to have children, and not working long hours like men due to family responsibilities.…

    • 304 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Gender Pay Inequality
    • 1828 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Gender Pay Inequality

    And many doors will be open to them in the future that won’t be open to less pedigreed or credentialed job applications” (Agness). Agness authenticates these reviews by providing averages, statistics, and theories under whether the wage gap is a myth or not. The author also provides contrasting evidence in the article to point out that,” using the statistic that women make 78 cents on the dollar as evidence of rampant discrimination has been debunked. The statistic doesn’t take into account a lot of choices that women and men make- education, years of experience and hours worked”…

    • 1828 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Gender Wage Gap Thesis
    • 1704 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Gender Wage Gap Thesis

    higher amount than women because of their gender. The constant discrimination and stereotypes that exist today won’t allow a solution for the gender wage gap. Even though society is far from having equal payment between male and female workers, it can start by solving simple issues such as paid leave and the raise of minimum wage. The gender wage gap can only be solved throughout time when male and female can finally work the same position and be paid…

    • 1704 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Gender Pay Gap In The United States
    • 1085 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Gender Pay Gap In The United States

    The gender pay gap is a major problem in the U.S. Across almost all different types of occupations, women are being paid significantly less than their male counterparts. Throughout the years, many women have spoken up about the wage difference, demanding equality, and progress is slowly being made to close this gap. Women are only paid on average 78% of what men are paid (United States of America). The wage gap is caused by many factors, including how men and women select different occupations, gender discrimination in the workplace, and other unexplained reasons that are yet to be identified. Studies have proven that there are some methods that we can implement to prevent the gender pay gap such as using pay transparency and reducing salary…

    • 1085 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Literature Review - Work Choices of Married Women
    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Literature Review - Work Choices of Married Women

    The labour supply of women has been the subject of extensive study both in Australia and internationally.1 Despite this, only a few international and Australian studies have examined the inter-temporal labour supply behaviour of women, and it remains a less understood area of labour supply research (Hyslop 1999).2 However, study in this area is growing rapidly due to the increasing availability of panel data and improved computational power and techniques. This chapter reviews a selection of studies of inter-temporal labour supply of women in Australian and overseas.…

    • 1187 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics