1. Gender Inequality
Sociology 111
Fall 2008

2. Pay Gap One of the first things most studies look at
Nationally between cents on the dollar
Since 1983 held steady
Regional variations
Urban areas have a smaller gap
South and Midwest tend to have larger gap

3. Nationally for
College educated woman- median income $50,000/year
College educated man- median income
$66, 000/year
Average is 76 cents on the dollar

4. Recession years Women tend to be hit harder by economic recessions
Lay-offs more common
More difficult to find a job
Less benefits if unemployed b/c tend to make less than men
Women tend to benefit later than men during an economic recovery
Last hired, first fired

5. Wage distribution across US

6. Accounting for differences
College majors/degrees are linked to gender
Women are more likely to choose elementary ed while men are more likely to choose engineering.
Some of this difference is due to personal choice
Influenced by the way we’re socialized.
This accounts for about 50%.

7. The other 50%- Discrimination and the “Child Penalty”
Lower paid, less prestigious positions w/little to no responsibility.
Often routed into mommy track jobs whether married, single, expressed a desire for children or not.
Employers often state that they haven’t hired someone or didn’t promote them because of this.
Women are still primarily responsible for childcare
Refers to women taking time out to care for children.
Losing work experience and seniority.
Gaps in employment are viewed negatively.

8. Discrimination
Beginning in the mid-1990s research began to “track” recent college grads
Men started an average of 11-15% higher than women with the same degree (& often same college)
Follow-ups found gap usually had grown
Even when women’s qualifications and resumes were better.

9. 2007 sociology study Created the “perfect” resume for various jobs.
No gaps in employment, certifications/degrees, impeccable skills.
One set “cued” employers that “she” was a mother. (PTA chair, etc) and the other did not.
“Mom” almost never got a call while the same resume w/o the “cue” almost always got a call.

10. Currently
Women earn the majority of associates’ and bachelors degrees’.
Total # has increased for both.
Women’s enrollment is increasing faster than men’s
Especially among low-income women
Led to questions about men falling behind

11. Adding race/ethnicity
White women’s enrollment increasing while white men’s is “flat”.
Men account for about 47%
Largest gender gap between African American males and females
Men about 40% though increasing
Asian men and women essentially equal
Both are increasing enrollment
Hispanic female enrollment is increasing while male enrollment has declined
Men are about 43%

12. Single sex schools in US
A few recent studies have argued that boys seem to be falling behind in schools compared to girls
Research also suggests that optimum learning conditions for boys and girls may differ.
Raised a debate about whether single sex schools promote gender inequality or promote better learning?