The Pay Gap

Writes Cathy Arnst on BusinessWeek's Web site:

A study released this week by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation found that a dramatic pay gap emerges between women and men in the U.S. the year after they graduate from college, and widens over the ensuing decade.

One year out of college, women working full time earn 80% percent of what men earn. Ten years later, women earn 69% percent as much as men.

Then, she moves into some analysis:

However, the researchers do suggest that women themselves may be partly to blame for the gap: "Women expect less and negotiate less pay for themselves than
do men."

I hate to blame the victim, but that sounds plausible to me. I know far too many women who think it is somehow unseemly in the workplace to promote themselves, or demand more money. I think many women consistently undervalue themselves and their skills, which may be why many of us take on the bulk of the household chores even though we hold demanding jobs. Do we too easily assume that somehow the husband's job is more important, either because he works more hours (and how much of that is by choice?) or earns more? Perhaps its time to re-evaluate our worth, both on the job and at home. Or at the very least teach our daughters to be more demanding.

What's interesting is that many of the people weighing in with comments aren't buying either the thrust of the report or Arnst's analysis.

Remember that in February, SmartPros reported a significant pay gap between male and femail accountants - 44 percent: "Men reported an average of $101,203 and women an average of $70,520," SmartPros said.

Working Parents [BusinessWeek]
SmartPros Salary Survey Results [SmartPros]