Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ticket availability ... As It Was: 'Infidel Hall' in Talent hosted 'Mental Library' ... Applications for marijuana dispensaries increase ... Ticket availability ... As It Was: 'Infidel Hall' in Talent hosted 'Mental Library' ... Applications for marijuana dispensaries increase ... LOCAL TAKE Will the gender pay gap ever disappear? Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 5:10 PM Updated Apr 17, 2015 at 6:21 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 5:10 PM Updated Apr 17, 2015 at 6:21 PM » RELATED CONTENT What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter . • Should tree be removed to make way for affordable housing? • Do you go to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival shows? • Louie’s Restaurant hosts fourth annual Equal Pay Day » Social News Women have always been paid less than men for the same work and, despite all progress in lessening gender inequalities, that situation continues, with women averaging 78 cents on the dollar against men, nationwide. It’s gradually inching up. It was 59 cents on the dollar half a century ago, at the start of the women’s movement, but women still have to work 3.5 months into the year to equal what men earned in the previous year. This is called Equal Pay Day and this year it was on April 14 (see related story on A5). This holiday was created in 1996 as a public awareness event by the National Committee on Pay Equity. Some facts about the problem from the National Association of University Women: —The pay gap is smallest in Washington, D.C., where women earn 90 cents on the male dollar. The biggest gap is 54 cents in Louisiana. —Pay gaps are found in nearly every occupation, regardless of whether it’s male- or female-dominated. —It’s worse for women of color, with Asian women making 90 percent of white male pay and, at the other end of the spectrum, Latino women making 54 percent of white male pay. —The gap averages 90 percent till age 35, then declines to 75 to 80 percent. —Even with more education, the gap persists. The first bill signed by President Barack Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It wiped out any statute of limitations for back pay lost because of discrimination. We asked Ashlanders if they think the pay gap will ever disappear. Jane Brockman — (declined photo) No. We live in a male-dominated society with certain privileges and advantages for people of a certain gender, race and economic category. We deserve equal pay. Our world would be a lot better if women were treated equally.  Bill Herman — Hopefully. It seems we’d have it by now. There’s no reason for a pay difference. Women have come a long way from being in the subordinate position. Margie Mee — It better be (getting equal) because it doesn't seem fair at all, when women are doing the same job as men. How do some women make it, especially if they are raising children alone? It doesn't make any sense. To some degree, I’m impressed by our progress but I don’t understand why at this time in our lives, we’re still lagging behind. It makes me mad. It’s ridiculous. Mike Potts — Yes, it will change. Women are working more and getting better jobs. The inequality came from men being out hunting and gathering, with women home taking care of children. But women are a lot stronger now and have more rights.  Cheryl Haddock — (declined photo) I hope so. It’s unequal because our whole society is unequal. It’s a patriarchal society, but it’s shifting. Consciousness is raising and we’re definitely improving. It makes me happy when we all realize we’re all one with each other and the earth. Darrell Boldt — Women deserve equal pay for equal work. It’s going to be tough over the long haul. Most people’s perception is they don’t deserve it but women are more successful at running things than men. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 5:10 PM Updated Apr 17, 2015 at 6:21 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501