.78 cents on every dollar. That is reportedly what every woman makes in comparison with her male counterparts in the work place. We hear it all the time- "The wage gap". But what does it really mean? And with whom specifically is that gap?
Feminism (I say that in a very general sense of the word) works tirelessly to educate the public about gender inequality within the workplace and unequal pay is usually a big part of the discussion. If a woman is doing the same work as a man, what rational explanation is there for her to be payed less?
Obviously there is none. Sexism is the only way to explain the wage gap. However, this is where I think feminism gets it wrong. Women want "equal" pay. That equality is in comparison to what men make doing the same job. Averages have continually showed us that women earn less in specific industries. However, I don't think it's about equality at all. I think the fight needs to be centered on compensation for hard work.
For example, the wage gap in professional sports is worse than almost any other industry for female athletes. The U.S. women's soccer team is ranked number 1 in the world and the 2015 FIFA World Cup champions along with a gold medal in the 2008 and 2012 summer Olympics. Despite their success and continual popularity, they only make 40% of what the men's national team makes. The argument is for them to be payed "as much as the men" but I think that falls short. As much as the men? They are EXPONENTIALLY more talented and decorated than the men's team: they should be making more.
Their pay should be for their hard work and success. Yes, pay equity is a good place to start but it simply opens the door for close minded people to say "well lets put them up against the men and see how they do". They play the same sport but that doesn't mean they need to be compared. The men's team is ranked 26th in the world with their highest ever finish in a World Cup being 3rd in the 1930 edition. They shouldn't even be spoken in the same sentence as the women's team.
Women's professional basketball is even worse. The median salary for a male NBA player is $2.3 million dollars. WNBA? $72,000. Anyone else think thats ridiculous?
I'm not even remotely trying to say that by pointing out a wage gap that the WNBA is as popular or brings in as much revenue as the NBA. However, nobody can tell me that those women don't work their asses off day in and day out just like the men. That's why feminism gets it wrong. It's not about equality, it's about compensation. The American dream is that if you work hard and put your mind to it, our system will reward that, right? Well I think females work just as hard as anyone else so lets stay true to our great American claim and pay them for it.
