American women are, on average, paid 84 cents for every dollar men make, according to the Department of Labor. This wage gap has persisted despite near-record rates of women’s participation in the labor market, with wage gaps even larger for women in minority populations, and it’s estimated that pay parity will not be achieved until 2052. Should policy interventions address these disparities, or is it more important to recognize and honor women's personal decisions and find another way to look at the gap Those in favor of fixing the gap see it as a point of fairness and equity that would bring economic benefits, such as enhanced family incomes and increased productivity, and say that new policies are needed urgently to dismantle systemic barriers stopping women from earning more. Those who aren’t in favor argue wage disparities reflect individual choices regarding career paths, work-life balance, and tenure, rather than systemic discrimination. They also point out that when adjusted for factors like job type, hours worked, and career breaks, the gap significantly narrows.
Against this backdrop, we debate the question: Should We Address the Gender Wage Gap?
Arguing Yes: Kadie Ward, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer of the Pay Equity Commission of Ontario
Arguing No: Allison Schrager, Pension Economist, Bloomberg Opinion Contributor & Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute
Nayeema Raza, Journalist at New York Magazine and Vox, is the guest moderator.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Is Amazon Good for Small Business?
Long Live The British Monarchy?
Should We Search for Extraterrestrial Life?
Will AI Do More Harm Than Good?
Should The SAT Be Erased?
Is Cancel Culture Toxic?
Should Trump Be Indicted?
Should We Eat More Processed Foods?
Should We Forgive Student Debt?
Should We Isolate Russia?
Agree to Disagree: Can the Fed Manage a Soft Landing?
We Should Expand the Supreme Court
Humans Can Adapt to Climate Change
Debate Like a World Champion: A Conversation with Bo Seo, Harvard Debate Coach & Global Debate Champion
Should Society Legalize Psychedelics?
Agree to Disagree: Does Your Electric Vehicle Help The Planet?
Agree to Disagree: Can Small Investors Beat The Street?
Agree to Disagree: Is It Right to End Roe?
It's Time to Expand Nuclear Power
Thinking Again with Adam Grant: The Power of Debate, and Knowing What You Don’t Know
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. Marshall
The No-Frills Teacher Podcast
Heal, Survive & Thrive!
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
The Mel Robbins Podcast