Declining Gender Pay Gap

Previously, I have written an essay examining reasons which might explain differences in pay between men and women.

• essay on wage inequality between men and women
  

I think the most relevant reasons, in modern society include:

Career Breaks to have children (I believe studies have shown that women without children gain fairly similar wages to men)

Different Choice of Profession. – Women more likely to choose ‘caring’ professions which are lower paid.

The role of discrimination is hard to quantify, but, generous maternity pay has made hiring women something of a potential burden.

Graph showing decline in Gender Pay Gap

Source: National Statistics 2007 link

Reasons for Decline in Gender Pay Gap

• Changing Social Aspirations
• Declining birth rate (more women remaining childless )
• Decline in Discrimination?
• Increased Educational Standards of Women