Open to Debate

Should We Address the Gender Wage Gap?

19 snips
Mar 21, 2025
Kadie Ward, the Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer of Ontario's Pay Equity Commission, advocates for addressing the gender wage gap, citing systemic barriers and the positive economic impact of pay equity. In contrast, Allison Schrager, a Pension Economist and Bloomberg Opinion Contributor, argues that the wage gap reflects personal choices rather than discrimination. They explore how policies like childcare could support women's workforce participation and discuss the implications of societal norms and recent workplace changes.
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ANECDOTE

Early Career Bias

  • Katie Ward-Philp's CEO introduced her to an all-male board by joking about avoiding maternity leave payments.
  • This experience highlighted how biology can negatively affect women's career prospects and pay.
INSIGHT

Underlying Causes of the Wage Gap

  • The gender wage gap is driven by various factors, including occupational choices, hours worked, and the motherhood penalty.
  • Policy interventions can be counterproductive if they don't address these underlying issues.
INSIGHT

Occupational Feminization and Wages

  • A longitudinal study revealed that as women entered occupations in greater numbers, those jobs began paying less.
  • This suggests that employers devalue jobs done by women.
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