Should US companies be required to provide equal pay to women and men? – Part 56
Men and women should receive equal pay based on their abilities and performance. Unfortunately, the AFL/CIO web site states that while “Equal Pay” has been the law according to the Equal Pay Act since 1963, women on average still make only $.77 of every $1.00 that a man earns for an equivalent position.
As more women become equal or primary wage earners in the household, the demand for equal pay will become tantamount. Pay must reflect skill set and performance in all cases or we will have a less competitive workforce relative to other countries. Smart capable women who could be leaders may chose to “sit out” the competition for top positions if they feel they do not have equal opportunity.
The problem, of course, is the individual case rather than the aggregate. If you are a woman working in a position at the same skill level as a man and performing at the same level or above, what is your recourse for determining whether you are being paid fairly? Most hard-working women are focused on being successful rather than uncovering pay inequities or pursuing legal action as a result of perceived differences in compensation.
The path to resolution needs to be straightforward and transparency needs to exist in some way in order for pay inequities, regardless of gender, race or religion, are to be eliminated. The question is whether this is a feasible or implementable mandate for US companies, both large and small.
Testimonies: What the womens rights movement means to me – Part 4
Women’s rights are going to come up at some points in every girl’s life, whether she cares about it or not. For me women’s rights are a big deal, because I truly believe that everyone deserves the right to equality, regardless of their gender, race, or sexual orientation. People are all created equal, and when women began to stand up and be granted more rights, such as the right to vote, hold jobs we’d never had before, and be considered an equal to their husbands instead of his servant, we started to create a path that not only could women have equal rights, but other groups would eventually follow suit. Even today, we’re still fighting for equal rights for all people, and though the fight sometimes seems discouraging, look at how far we’ve come.
For me personally as a female college student, I’m very thankful that I have the opportunity to even be able to sit in a classroom and receive a higher education. I have full control over who I date, what I major in, and what career path I take. I want to be a writer, and people support me in that. They don’t think it’s unusual at all, and even though I’ve changed my major several times, no one frowns upon my goals because of my gender. They don’t care, and most people don’t even think about it at all. This is a sign that we’re slowly but surely breaking down the gender barrier. Not to long ago I wouldn’t have been sitting in that class room, and I probably wouldn’t be writing.
There is also another area of my life that’s very important right now that I have so much more control over than I would have had I not been born in this generation, and that is dating. I have the freedom to pick who I want to date, and to set rules that the guy I choose must respect me and treat me as an equal. People do not think I’m strange or overly demanding for expecting to be treated just like any other human being. I’m very greatful for this as well. This also carries over into the decision of whether or not to marry and start a family. Whichever choice I make, it’s my choice. I do not need a husband to have a place in society. I have the option to support myself, even if I do choose marriage.
Women’s rights for me overall are a taste of freedom that so many people, not just women but many others, have been denied. While it seems strange to look back and think of all the thins women couldn’t do just a few decades ago, it’s really something we should take a little time to think about and appreciate. Because of the fight for equality I can sit here and write this article without the fear of being criticized for my views or my gender. I hope one day that everyone in all countries can experience this beautiful freedom for themselves.
