Sociology

The author talks about wage inequality but his main point is on prejudice as the root cause of wage inequality. There is a big wage gap as women earn less than men despite the fact they perform similar task (Rosin, 2013). In addition, both men and women have the same education attainment as well experience. However, U.S is experiencing economic inequality due to the reason that monthly and weekly wages between men and women is unequal and the root cause of the problem is prejudice. The point is that low-wage workers are people who lack education and for this reason they are underpin. However, the gender pay gap is a big problem since it is not caused by lack of education but it is because of prejudice that makes the country to undervalue the women’s professions (Rosin, 2013).  The prejudice is rooted from the perception that   female-dominated occupation and male-dominated occupations are not the same and so wages should be unequal. For example, men work in higher-paying jobs such as managers, engineers while women work as waitresses, nurses and other low-paying jobs.  The point is that gender discrimination on wages is a result of gender-based education and occupation.  In other words, the wages inequality is due to gender stereotype (Rosin, 2013). The key point is that wage discrimination-women are pain less than men despite equal human capital- rooted from sex discrimination. The latter creates the perception that women take maternity leave regularly than men thereby increasing economic cost, they leave job due to childbearing function and more.  This reduces the wages and increases gender-segregation (Rosin, 2013).  To address these challenges, there should an Equal Pay Act that will eliminate the workplace discrimination, encourage transparency in payment and provide legal protection to female workers. In addition, the Act will change the culture norms, eliminate stereotype and provide women rights.

 

Theoretical perspective

 According to Thio & Taylor, the unequal wages leads to feminization of poverty. This is because, woman are paid less despite education attainment, and thus are vulnerable to divorce, out of wedlock birth and more. The authors discuss theoretical perspective which contributes to economic inequality. They include;

 Functionalism theory

            Functionalism is a theory which states that social equilibrium should be maintained through different society functions and social institutions.  According to this theory, there should be inequality in order to fulfill other society functions  (Thio  & Taylor, 2012).The point is that society needs workers from different classes to maintain solidarity and stability. Society is shaped by social structures and gender and wages inequality should be viewed in a positive way and considers their roles in the division of labor. The theory asserts that inequality is important as it motivates people to increase performance in order to receive a reward. Gender and wage inequality is a path for social justice and social relations (Thio & Taylor, 2012).

 Conflict theory

  Conflict theory creates the perception that society is controlled by domination and power. For this reason, there is a social group-dominant group and subordinate group- that create division in social roles. Conflict theory sees inequality as a threat to the society since women are denied the opportunity to enjoy the society benefit.   Society is made of capitalists and workers and this creates division in wages.  In other words, the dominant group focuses on maximizing the profit and maintaining power (Thio & Taylor, 2012). The conflict theory is supported by capitalism where wealth people have more power and higher wages. In addition, capitalism denies women higher opportunities and allows them to work in low-paying jobs.

 

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Symbolic interaction is a theory which asserts that in society, there must be social interaction and this is reinforced by inequality. In other words, different status leads to inequality and both promote interaction. This is because; s people in higher-status are superior while low-status people are inferior (Thio & Taylor, 2012). Inequality is important in identity formation and human interaction. Gender inequality is socially contracted and plays a significant role in human interaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Thio, A., & Taylor, J. D. (2012). Social problems. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Rosin Hannan. (2013). The Gender Wage Gap Lie. Retrieved from: http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/08/gender_pay_gap_the_familiar_line_that_women_make_77_cents_to_every_man_s.html