Whenever I sat in the break-room of my minimum wage job, there was always a poster that I couldn’t help but notice. This poster said that for every dollar a man makes, a woman only makes seventy-seven cents. Are those twenty-three cents really a big deal? I could probably find that much money on the ground while I am walking from my car to work. I’m sure some federal or state regulation mandated that this poster, or a similar one, be present on the walls of every break-room in America. Nevertheless, I always sneered at it because I didn’t think that it was that big of a problem. In all honesty, none of us were getting paid enough for the amount of work that we were doing. However, just because I have not yet experienced any gender-wage pay discrimination, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.
While gender discrimination seems to be a problem of the past, it still remains a prevalent issue today—especially in the higher ranks of large businesses. Unfortunately, it is still true that women earn less and receive fewer promotions than men who have the same qualifications. Blogger Nancy M. Carter presents several strategies which can close the gender pay gap. Firstly, she suggests that women find mentors and sponsors. Mentors are important because they can give you advice as you make each small step through the company. Sponsors on the other hand are even more important because they have the pull to make things happen for you, even if they don’t have the time to hold your hand through every decision.
Secondly, Carter suggests that women learn how to market themselves. If a woman can have her accomplishments acknowledged regularly, others will notice that she is doing well. This recognition can go a long way in terms of raises, bonuses, and even promotions. But, if you don’t make those accomplishments known, then you cannot expect to receive the benefits associated with them.
Lastly, she sends out a word of advice for the younger women. Carter urges young females not to be afraid of dreaming big. This really resonated with me because my motto has always been, “reach for the moon because if you miss, you’ll land on the stars.” I think that the message behind this motto is important for young girls everywhere who might at some point face discrimination or a lack of support. Nancy agrees by stating that girls must realize their true potential before others will even take a second glance.
Secondly, Carter suggests that women learn how to market themselves. If a woman can have her accomplishments acknowledged regularly, others will notice that she is doing well. This recognition can go a long way in terms of raises, bonuses, and even promotions. But, if you don’t make those accomplishments known, then you cannot expect to receive the benefits associated with them.
Lastly, she sends out a word of advice for the younger women. Carter urges young females not to be afraid of dreaming big. This really resonated with me because my motto has always been, “reach for the moon because if you miss, you’ll land on the stars.” I think that the message behind this motto is important for young girls everywhere who might at some point face discrimination or a lack of support. Nancy agrees by stating that girls must realize their true potential before others will even take a second glance.
The gender wage gap is not a part of the past, but is also not something that must be accepted as a truth by women. Women need to understand that success will inevitably follow if they can find a mentor, learn to market themselves, and dream big. The first step is believing. The next step is never accepting no for an answer.
No comments:
Post a Comment