Some implications of comparable worth Book Chapter

Shrage, L. (2018). Some implications of comparable worth . 91-101. 10.4324/9780429499142-11

cited authors

  • Shrage, L

authors

abstract

  • This chapter demonstrates how the concept of systemic discrimination can be used to acquire a better understanding of the statistical data on wage differentials and, consequently, of the way in which inequitable distributions of income are to be redressed. The persistent gap in wages between male and female dominated professions involving similar training, experience, and working conditions, indicates prima facie that wage differentials are affected by gender discrimination. The theory of comparable worth is based on the fundamental assumption that the wages workers receive should not reflect their race or sex. Such attributes are irrelevant to the value of the work performed, and thus, to equitable rates of compensation. Comparable worth advocates often emphasize statistics which show that women with college degrees, on average, earn less than men without high school diplomas. The doctrine of comparable worth has implications for work falling outside the system of monetary exchange, such as the job of homemaking.

publication date

  • January 1, 2018

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 91

end page

  • 101